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

July 27th, 2014 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What beautiful readings we have today!
1st Reading - 1st Book of Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm 119
2nd reading - Romans 8:28-30
Gospel - Matthew 13:44-52

Have you ever thought about what you would say if God said He would give you anything you wanted?
Health?  Take care of my family?  Just let me have enough money (how much is enough?)  No worries/problems?  Joy?  Peace?  Love? Happiness?

I did pray for patience once....but then God gave me lots of opportunities to see how patient I was....lol - not a pleasant time in my life!

I don't think I would ever have thought about having an understanding heart to govern your people.  (although - now I do!  Thanks, Solomon!)

Today, as God transforms me, as I grow closer to God, my prayer is simple - Help me be more like you and less like me!  Help me be the person you created me to be!  Help me to love unconditionally!

Psalm 119 - Lord, I love your commands.
This, too, has been a journey.  I didn't always love God's commands.  As a young person, I felt God was too controlling.  I felt His commands were too limiting.  But now I see the wisdom in His commands.  I see the love and mercy in His commands.  Living His commands has helped me to be more like Him and more of who He created me to be.

Romans 8:28 is one of my all-time favorite verses.  Do you ever wonder why bad things happen to innocent people?  I do!  It happened to me.  I couldn't figure out why God would allow this to happen.  It wasn't my fault.  It was devastating.  This verse was explained to me in this way - and I have used it to comfort me in times of pain and suffering often.
We know that all things (He didn't say some things - some of the time) work for good (that means that at sometimes in the future God will use this bad thing and turn it around and use it for something Good!) -
for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  I do love God and I am here to do His Holy will.  So when bad things happen to me or my loved ones, I trust that MY ALL LOVING GOD has a great plan and will use this for HIS GLORY!!!  I trust in Him!

I had a friend who was a priest once - who helped me understand God's great love for me with the pearl of great price.  I know that God's love for me is the Great pearl.  I should sell all I own in thanksgiving for what Christ has done for me!  I do love Him and I am so grateful, but I admit I take it for granted most days.
Fr. told us to look at us as the pearl.  That Christ gave His live up for us, because we were the pearl of great price.  Just looking at the parable in that light - makes me see how much Jesus does love me!!!

As for the large net and the fish being separated at the end of time.  I just pray that I am selected for heaven!  I pray I stay faithful and that I draw even closer to God for the rest of my life.

What great readings - drawing us closer into the depths of God's great love for us!  How blessed are we!
Have a blessed Liturgy!
Be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Nancy

July 20, 2014 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading - Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Responsorial Psalm - 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
2nd Reading - Romans 8:26-27
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43

I had trouble separating these readings this week.  I keep reading all of them and after reading all of them - I felt I had an overall feeling of the wonder and awe of God.  I realized that God gave us free will out of His complete and unconditional love for each of us.  As much as He wants each of us to choose Love, to choose Good, to choose truth and beauty.....He allows us to choose evil, too!  But He doesn't judge us right away (although, I have experienced His loving discipline when I have sinned).  The ultimate judgement is saved for the end of time.  We actually will choose our final eternal resting place.  Will it be heaven or hell?

God is certainly merciful.  We read that over and over in the Holy Scriptures.  But I believe He is also just to condemn when we use our free will not to choose to Love.

The Gospel also teaches me to not judge others.   Remember last week when I shared that I had been every seed in the gospel?  I praise God, that I wasn't thrown into Gehenna when I was the bad seed.  God gave me time to repent and choose to Love.   Yes, I still mess up.  That's why I love the sacrament of confession!  It's such a "shower for the soul!"  It's the ultimate Catholic "do-over".   God is ready to forgive and forget as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12).    

Just this week I was struggling with someone who "rubs me the wrong way".    Someone who is Christian but doesn't act like it very often.  I was judging that person harshly.   At Friday mass, the priest's homily reminded me about my call by Jesus to love unconditionally - regardless how others act to me.  Isn't God wonderful?  I was in the midst of my great sin of "judging" someone else of being "sinful".    Will I ever get it?  Will I ever be Holy?   It's a good thing it's Saturday, I can go get my shower of Confession!!!

Have a blessed week!
Nancy

July 13, 2014 - 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

I love today's readings.  I have spent many hours reflecting on them in my faith journey!!!
As I read them over this week I feel my roots growing a little deeper into the soil, as my faith has grown through trials and challenges - I see that God's living word - all of His promises have proven absolutely true!  Nothing in my life has been wasted, even all my mistakes.

Let's look at the first reading from Isaiah 55:10-11.  Such a short and powerful reading.  "My word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."    Sometimes I get my faith walk all twisted up with what I do for a living.  I think it's more about what I do, and not about my own faith walk.   Today, God reminds me - that this verse is not only for others, but ESPECIALLY for me!  He has written HIS LIVING Word for me!  His promises are for ME!  When I look back on my life, I see it!  He has been so faithful.  He has been so merciful and so loving to ME!  He has challenged me when I needed it, He has consoled me when I needed it!  He has promised me VICTORY in Him when I am discouraged and given me courage when I am AFRAID!  He is always there for me!  The more I read His WORD, the more it quickens to my mind and heart when I need it in life!   This encourages me to keep reading His Word everyday!

The Psalm is a beautiful promise - as I (and YOU!) are disciples!  Apostles!  Sent out to make more disciples!  Sent out to love!  "The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest!"  We don't need to see it to believe it!  (especially if we believe with all our hearts the first reading from ISAIAH!!!)  We just keep loving, preparing people's hearts for the love of GOD!!!

The 2nd Reading has comforted me in my discouragement.  Some days don't you wonder why bad things happen to good people?   This reading from Romans gives me hope.  It keeps my eyes on the prize - the Glory of Heaven.  There is a song on the radio -  "Where I Belong" by Tree 63.   The lyrics remind me of this verse - Where I Belong"

Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive
I won't keep searching for answers that aren't here to find

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

So when the walls come falling down on me
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea
I have this blessed assurance holding me.

We are not Home yet.  This world does not promise us all roses!  God put us here for a reason.  He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us through the challenges - so that we can love others and share His love and mercy with others - sometimes it is through our trials that we can help others the best!!!  I can't wait for the Glory in Heaven!!!  

And finally, the gospel!  One of my favorites.  I have been every seed in this gospel!  It makes me chuckle to go back and think of my life as a seed!  I have been so lost - I don't even know how God found me!  I actually rejected God so many times!  Yet, here I am!  His mercy and grace are so amazing!  This verse also gives me hope!   We all have a story.  We all have a journey.  Even those most lost in this very moment (our grown children - family members)....are only lost for the moment (remember God isn't limited by time!)  His timing is perfect!  He has a plan and it is that all of His children are with Him forever in Heaven!  He uses His Living Word (Isaiah) which will not go Void!  He uses us to love!  He thirsts for us to thirst for Him!  He is always chasing after us!

Thanks be to God!  He never gives up!  He never gave up on me!  and HERE I AM!  It's such a miracle!  Let us not give up on those around us!  Let us continue to spread the seeds of God's love and mercy and compassion - knowing that we are not home yet!  

Have a blessed week!!!

Nancy