June 30, 2013: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
“…Work is more than a way to make a living: it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation…”
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (52), USCCB
Readings
First Reading: 1st Kings 19:16b, 19-21
Psalm: 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Gospel: Luke 9: 51-62
July 3rd: Feast of St Thomas
Gospel reading: John 20:24-29
Thomas moved beyond doubt to simply profess faith, “My Lord, My God.” When Jesus is in our midst and says, “Peace be with you”, what doubts do we need to shed to more fully embrace His peace?
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: no references
Reflection
Saying goodbye to familiarity and releasing the reins of a comfortable career can be a call towards freedom. Ascent to lofty positions framed in distinctive titles, funding retirement accounts for days that may never come are desires perched in the ego’s shadow box. Desire without depth deprives freedom the opportunity to serve one another through love. When focusing on self-consuming individual goals, one cannot love their neighbor as themself, since neighbor abides in a void, as an unidentified variable in the equation of life.
What is holding us back from letting the Lord counsel us and show us the path to life? Do we answer, Lord I will follow you wherever you go, but I will follow you from my oak paneled den watching events impacting my neighbor on my big screen TV? Or do you choose to stay nestled in an office forty stories closer to the sky, instead of a career that puts you on the street face to face with the world’s reality? Are we resolutely mired on journeys addressing dead end issues seeking subtle vengeance to trump another’s status, instead of alive to proclaiming the fullness of joy in the kingdom of God here and now? Are career concerns only to benefit family one can count on one hand or can our career choices say farewell to that mentality and adopt the human family with love and respect. Where will you let the freedom from the Spirit take your career—self-consuming desires or hand on the plow, looking forward and participating for the kingdom of God with a glad heart and soul rejoicing?
Individual Reflection: Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
http://www.mercy-center.org/PDFs/EW/HaikuPath.pdf
As you savor foods, absorb the outdoor environment, share time with friends and attend music festivals, reflect on your summer experiences by writing Haiku verses.
Family Reflection: Luke 9:51-62
http://firstperson.oxfamamerica.org/2013/01/23/7-photos-that-reveal-what-families-eat-in-one-week/
Make your own picture of what your family eats in one week. Send it to ten people and encourage them to reflect on their food consumption. How does your diet differ from these global families? What ways can your diet be changed to provide more food for the global family? How can your diet enhance care for God’s creation?
Blog Sites to Visit
http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites.
By Barb Born June 13, 2013 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.