Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Reading Reflections: Nov. 4, 2007

November 4, 2007
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time



READING 1: Wisdom 11:22-12:2

Reading 1 Reflection:


In this reading we are presented with a "God's eye view" of the universe and of our own lives. Yet, far from making us and the rest of our world feel small and insignificant, we are reminded of our own dignity and of the great value of everything God has made. For what God hated, he would not have fashioned! Every plant, every animal, every person God made is loved by God and deserves our respect and love as well. Do we love the universe, the solar system, our world, our fields and streams and mountains and valleys, our wild and domestic animals, as God the creator loves them? Do we love ourselves and other human beings as God the creator loves us? How can we do this? (Consider: The more we fill our lives with love, the less room we will have in them for sin. We will "abandon wickedness.")

READING 2: 2 Thessalonians 1:11--2:2

Reading 2 Reflection:


The writer of this letter is encouraging the Christians in Thessalonica. They are in the midst of a conflict. They are being led astray by a false prophet who has told them that the "day of the Lord" has already come! The Thessalonians have been looking forward to the Lord's coming as much as anyone else, and to think that Jesus has come already and left them to their earthly struggle is a huge disappointment! It has shaken their faith. Is this all there is? We all hate to hear, "It was great! Too bad you missed it!" or "It's over, and there's nothing left to look forward to." We would never want to hear that about the coming of Jesus and his kingdom!

Gospel:Luke 19:1-10

Gospel Reflection:


The incident in today's gospel may well be a God's eye view of each one of us! We are all "little," like Zaccheus, trying to see Jesus from a distance, and often getting ourselves up into trees or into other difficult situations and needing Jesus to come by and call us back down to earth, back down to an honest relationship with him. "When you come down from there, and admit your need," says Jesus, "we'll talk, heart to heart."

Discussion Questions for Gospel:

Try to see this story from the point of view of Zaccheus. What kind of person was he? What kind of job did he have? Was he respected by others? Feared? Well-liked? Trusted? Why would Jesus want to be his friend? At what exact point, do you think, did Zaccheus change? What brought him joy? What did he do to show that he had changed?

How are you like the "old Zaccheus," before he met Jesus? How are you like the "new Zaccheus," after he was found and saved by Jesus?

After you have read this story, what do you think about Jesus? Would you like Jesus to "come to your house?" (Hint: If you ask him to, he will!)

Monday, October 22, 2007

Reading Reflections for Oct. 28, 2007

October 28, 2007
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time




READING 1: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

Reading 1 Reflection:


This reading was written at a time when God's people were governed by a foreign ruler. They knew only too well that human rulers often show favoritism. But Sirach reminds the people that God is a just ruler who listens to the poor and the oppressed. Those who are faithful and continue to pray will receive justice from the Lord. Whether they are rich or poor, privileged or underprivileged, God will judge them?not just by what they say, but also by what they do.

Discussion Questions for Reading 1:

Once there was a boy (we will call him Jay) who liked to play football after school with his friends. Jay was blind. Thanks to his friends, being blind did not stop Jay from playing football. Jay's friends made a rule when they played with him: Each one who caught the ball had to call out "I've got it" so Jay would know where the ball was. What do you think about adapting the rules of football so Jay could play? Was it fair? Was it playing favorites? Why or why not?

Is it important that a teacher or a parent not "play favorites?" Why? However, it is also important to meet everyone's needs, in the classroom and in the family. Yet everyone does not have the same needs at the same time. Someone may need more help or more attention at times. Is this "playing favorites?" Why or why not? Give examples from your own experience.

READING 2 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Reading 2 Reflection:

In today's reading, Paul is again in prison waiting to be sentenced. The witnesses who might have helped to free him did not show up when he needed them. Yet he forgives them, knowing that it is the Lord who saves him "from the lion's jaws." Paul feels like a determined athlete who has earned his crown of victory. He does not fear death because he sees it as the door into God's kingdom.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2:

Even when his friends abandoned him, Paul writes that "The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength." People are not perfect. Have you ever been disappointed by the actions of a friend? Have you ever felt rejected or abandoned by a friend? Were you and your friend able to save your friendship or not? What would you do today if you had a problem or a misunderstanding with a friend?

Married partners must also remember that "people are not perfect," including the person they married! Marriage is a big commitment, and married people promise to stay together "for better or for worse." However, this does not mean that it is okay to LET things get worse! What would you do if you had a problem or misunderstanding with a wife or a husband? How would you try to solve it?

Say a quiet prayer now. Thank the Lord for standing by your side and giving you strength, no matter what problems or weaknesses you find in yourself or in others. Ask God to help you talk things over together with those you care about.

Gospel Luke 18:9-14

Gospel Reflection:


How should we approach God in prayer? Jesus tells a wonderful parable today contrasting two ways of appearing before God. The Pharisee is proud and pleased with himself. He has "outdone" himself in abiding by religious laws. He looks down on others "less holy" than himself, and he believes that this alone will bring him salvation. But the tax collector really looks at himself. He admits that he is a sinner and begs God to have mercy on him. Because he humbles himself, the tax collector is raised high by God. The Pharisee, who does not really know God as he should, is limited in his prayer.

Discussion Questions for Gospel:

The word humble comes from the Latin word humus, which means "earth." A humble person has his or her feet on the ground! A humble person sees reality, including the real person of the self. Seeing oneself as "more" (as the Pharisee did) is not humble. Seeing oneself as "less" is not humble either! How do you see yourself? What is the danger of seeing yourself as "more" in comparison to others? What is the danger of seeing yourself as "less" than others? Being humble is seeing yourself as God sees you: someone who is strong in many ways, weak in other ways, but someone who is always loveable!

Did you know that you could change some things about yourself? Make a list of "strengths" and "weaknesses." For strengths, put down what you are good at or love to do. For weaknesses, put down what is hard for you or things that can hurt or bother others. Enjoy your strengths and take a good look at your weaknesses. How can you make them stronger? If you wrote "shy," resolve to say hello to four people every day.

(At least two will probably start a conversation with you!) If you wrote "hot-tempered," then get advice from someone you trust. (Sometimes people who get angry think people are against them or their ideas, when really people are just looking for more information or understanding. Try to slow down, count to ten, and explain your thinking!)

In a small group, share your lists. Help one another with ideas for strengthening your weak points. Keep your head high, your heart full of love, and your feet on the ground!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Reflection for this Sunday's Readings: Oct. 21, 2007

Reading 1 Reflection:READING 1 Exodus 17:8-13

The author of Exodus narrates a strange and surprising war story. After Moses leads them out of Egypt, the Israelites are on their way to Canaan, the Promised Land. But they are attacked by desert tribes called Amalekites. Little do these tribes know that the Israelites have a "secret weapon." As long as Moses' hands remain raised in prayer, the Amalekites keep losing. And when Moses can no longer keep his arms in the air, his two companions hold them up for him. So the desert tribes do not stand a chance against Joshua's forces. The Israelites are assured once again that God is guiding and protecting them.

Discussion Questions for Reading 1:


Have you or your family ever gone through difficult times and yet persisted in prayer? Tell about it. Moses did not pray alone. He had help. What do you think this says about prayer with others?

Do you remember learning about "the communion of saints?" In heaven and on earth, we are united as members of the body of Christ. In this way we pray for and support one another. Who supports you in prayer, in heaven and on earth? Whom do you support in prayer?


Reading 2 Reflection:READING 2: 2 Timothy 3:14?4:2

In this reading Timothy is instructed to be faithful to his ministry as a preacher of God's Word. Timothy is to preach what he learned from his holy teachers and from the Scriptures. He must preach even the truths that people to do not want to hear. And he must continue to communicate God's word, whether people accept it or not.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2:

A coach stood before his team. "At every practice session, I am going to correct you. You may not like to hear the things you are doing wrong, but it is my job to point them out. Why? To help you become a better player. If I correct you, it's only because I see that you have the potential to be better. It's when I don't correct you that you should worry, because that might mean I just don't care!"

How was this coach trying to help his players? Why is he a good coach?

A parent or a teacher is like a coach--only a parent or teacher has a much bigger job. A parent, teacher, grandparent, or other relative has the job of coaching you into becoming a good, loving person: a true child of God. You may not like to hear all that your "Head Coach" (Mom, Dad, Gran, or teacher) has to say. Can you give some examples of things that are hard to hear? How do you respond to these corrections?

You might try this response: "Thanks for caring, Coach!" You might like to write a "Thanks for Caring" note to your parents or teacher right now!

Friends also have a "coaching job" to do for each other. This is part of what friendship is all about. When has a friend coached you into doing the best you could, or doing the right thing when you were tempted not to? Write a "Thanks for Caring" note to that friend.

Then thank God for all the coaches in your life!


Gospel Reflection: Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Just as our first reading was a victory story, so is the parable Jesus tells about the widow and the judge. A lowly widow comes before a judge, seeking her rights. The immoral judge ignores her, but the widow goes on pleading and nagging until he finally decides the case in her favor. He helps the widow not because he is good but because she is persistent. Jesus concludes that if a corrupt judge can do justice to someone who keeps on asking, God, the most just judge of all, will certainly listen to those who persist in prayer.

Discussion Questions for Gospel:

Jesus himself provides a discussion question for this gospel: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" What do you think? How will you try to be one of these faithful ones?

The widow's first and last request was not for privilege but for justice. In his encyclical, "On the Development of Peoples," Pope Paul VI (who was the pope immediately before Pope John Paul II) urged all Catholics and all people of the world to work for both justice and peace. How can you work and pray for justice and peace in our time?

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Reflection for Sunday's Readings:

October 21, 2007
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time


READING 1: Exodus 17:8-13

Reading 1 Reflection:

The author of Exodus narrates a strange and surprising war story. After Moses leads them out of Egypt, the Israelites are on their way to Canaan, the Promised Land. But they are attacked by desert tribes called Amalekites. Little do these tribes know that the Israelites have a "secret weapon." As long as Moses' hands remain raised in prayer, the Amalekites keep losing. And when Moses can no longer keep his arms in the air, his two companions hold them up for him. So the desert tribes do not stand a chance against Joshua's forces. The Israelites are assured once again that God is guiding and protecting them.

Discussion Questions for Reading 1:

Have you or your family ever gone through difficult times and yet persisted in prayer? Tell about it. Moses did not pray alone. He had help. What do you think this says about prayer with others?

Do you remember learning about "the communion of saints?" In heaven and on earth, we are united as members of the body of Christ. In this way we pray for and support one another. Who supports you in prayer, in heaven and on earth? Whom do you support in prayer?


READING 2: 2 Timothy 3:14?4:2

Reading 2 Reflection:


In this reading Timothy is instructed to be faithful to his ministry as a preacher of God's Word. Timothy is to preach what he learned from his holy teachers and from the Scriptures. He must preach even the truths that people to do not want to hear. And he must continue to communicate God's word, whether people accept it or not.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2:


A coach stood before his team. "At every practice session, I am going to correct you. You may not like to hear the things you are doing wrong, but it is my job to point them out. Why? To help you become a better player. If I correct you, it's only because I see that you have the potential to be better. It's when I don't correct you that you should worry, because that might mean I just don't care!"

How was this coach trying to help his players? Why is he a good coach?

A parent or a teacher is like a coach--only a parent or teacher has a much bigger job. A parent, teacher, grandparent, or other relative has the job of coaching you into becoming a good, loving person: a true child of God. You may not like to hear all that your "Head Coach" (Mom, Dad, Gran, or teacher) has to say. Can you give some examples of things that are hard to hear? How do you respond to these corrections?

You might try this response: "Thanks for caring, Coach!" You might like to write a "Thanks for Caring" note to your parents or teacher right now!

Friends also have a "coaching job" to do for each other. This is part of what friendship is all about. When has a friend coached you into doing the best you could, or doing the right thing when you were tempted not to? Write a "Thanks for Caring" note to that friend.

Then thank God for all the coaches in your life!


Gospel Luke 18:1-8

Gospel Reflection:


Just as our first reading was a victory story, so is the parable Jesus tells about the widow and the judge. A lowly widow comes before a judge, seeking her rights. The immoral judge ignores her, but the widow goes on pleading and nagging until he finally decides the case in her favor. He helps the widow not because he is good but because she is persistent. Jesus concludes that if a corrupt judge can do justice to someone who keeps on asking, God, the most just judge of all, will certainly listen to those who persist in prayer.

Discussion Questions for Gospel:


Jesus himself provides a discussion question for this gospel: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" What do you think? How will you try to be one of these faithful ones?

The widow's first and last request was not for privilege but for justice. In his encyclical, "On the Development of Peoples," Pope Paul VI (who was the pope immediately before Pope John Paul II) urged all Catholics and all people of the world to work for both justice and peace. How can you work and pray for justice and peace in our time?

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Reflection: Sunday Readings Oct. 7, 2007


READING 1 Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Reading 1 Reflection:

The prophet Habakkuk expresses the same question we have all asked at one time or another: Why do bad things happen to good people? Habakkuk pleads with God for an explanation. Even God's faithful ones have been trampled on by their enemies. Why doesn't God help them? God answers the prophet with a vision that will be fulfilled in the future. The violent ones will, by their sinfulness, bring about their own defeat. The just ones, by their fidelity to God, will enjoy lasting happiness.

God does not give explanations for evil and suffering. But God does promise eternal life to those who trust and remain faithful.

READING 2 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Reading 2 Reflection:

To preach the Christian faith at a time of terrible persecution requires great courage. Loyalty to the gospel always involves a certain amount of hardship for any disciple. Anyone who teaches or preaches the faith must also be true to the tradition handed down by Jesus through the apostles. Timothy is reminded that the Holy Spirit will help him to remain on the right track.

Gospel Luke 17:5-10

Gospel Reflection:

The two sayings of Jesus in today's gospel make us wonder abut the other side of the story. When the apostles ask, "Increase our faith," are they secretly quite satisfied with their record of faithfulness? Jesus tells them that if they really have faith they can tell a tree what to do, and it will do it! The story about the servant tells us that Jesus' disciples should be grateful to God. When we do God's will, we should not expect to receive a gold medal. We have, after all, done no more than "what we were obliged to do."

MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER: POPE BENEDICT XVI

The Holy Father's Monthly Intentions for the year 2010:

http://www.hyscience.com/archives/Pope20Benedict20XVI_1.jpg

SEPTEMBER 2010


The Word of God as Sign of Social Development

General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.

The End of War

Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

RCAM NEWS:

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CELEBRATION OF THE SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
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PARENTS AND FAMILY OF PRIESTS
(On the Year for Priests)

Archdiocese Recognizes Parents of Priests

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Philippines
"IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD ..." (John 1:1) The Word service proclaims, not only the contents of the readings, but also the bigger reality that God speaks continually to his people that we are called to a dialogue with God and with one another. To proclaim their inspired content in the midst of the worshipping community is a ministry entrusted to a few. The manner of proclamation is important for the delivery of the message in order to enable the community to enter into the spirit of the Word. The magnificence of this ministry cries out for the excellence that the Word of the Lord deserves. As lectors at the Mass we transmit that Word to human hearts and minds. The readings remind the people of the vision of the Christian community . . . of the things that truly matter.