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Tag Archives: God

Divine Mercy Sunday, Second Sunday of Easter April 23, 2017 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Barb Born
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April 23,2017: Divine Mercy Sunday, The Second Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person

“Integral human development and the full exercise of human dignity cannot be imposed. They must be built up and allowed to unfold for each individual, for every family, in communion with others, and in a right relationship with all those areas in which human social life develops – friends, communities, towns and cities, schools, businesses and unions, provinces, nations, etc.” Pope Francis address to the United Nations September 25, 2015

Readings
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Psalm: 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Second Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-9
Gospel: John 20:19-31

Catechism of the Catholic Church
The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it: “All however must be prepared to confess Christ before men and to follow him along the way of the Cross, amidst the persecutions which the Church never lacks.”82 Service of and witness to the faith are necessary for salvation: “So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (1816)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the, Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 29:19, 21, 26

The promise of peace that runs through the entire Old Testament finds its fulfilment in the very person of Jesus. Peace, in fact, is the messianic attribute par excellence, in which all other beneficial effects of salvation are included. The Hebrew word “shalom” expresses this fullness of meaning in its etymological sense of “completeness” (cf. Is 9:5ff; Mic 5:1-4). The kingdom of the Messiah is precisely the kingdom of peace (cf. Job 25:2; Ps 29:11; 37:11; 72:3,7; 85:9,11; 119:165; 125:5, 128:6; 147:14; Song 8:10; Is 26:3,12; 32:17f.; 52:7; 54:10; 57:19; 60:17; 66:12; Hag 2:9; Zech 9:10; et al.). Jesus “is our peace” (Eph 2:14). He has broken down the dividing wall of hostility among people, reconciling them with God (cf. Eph 2:14-16). This is the very effective simplicity with which Saint Paul indicates the radical motivation spurring Christians to undertake a life and a mission of peace.
On the eve of his death, Jesus speaks of his loving relation with the Father and the unifying power that this love bestows upon his disciples. It is a farewell discourse which reveals the profound meaning of his life and can be considered a summary of all his teaching. The gift of peace is the seal on his spiritual testament: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27). The words of the Risen Lord will not be any different; every time that he meets his disciples they receive from him the greeting and gift of peace: “Peace be with you” (Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19,21,26). (491)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Jesus came to the disciples with the greeting of “Peace be with you,” while they fearfully hunkered down behind locked doors. Showing them the reality of his crucifixion, his pierced hands and sides, he again offered them the salutation defining his mission, “Peace be with you.” A peace not imparted to affirm staying sheltered in secure confines, but embedded with mission to go forth into the world, replicating the Father’s sending of the Son. A peace affirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the disciples. For the ability to bestow peace in the world, by the disciples of antiquity or disciples of today, that would be limited by human capacities is profound coming forth in Divine proportions. But do we allow unbelief, the desire for physical proof to stymie our unwillingness to receive the peace Jesus freely offers us and let it flow forth into the world? Do we live in the comfort of following shallower paths, instead of Jesus, so we fail to embody HIs peace, thinking such a concept is too radical for practicality?

Like the early believers who devoted themselves to communal life, breaking of bread and prayer, that manifest awe with wonders and signs proclaiming faith, we too must accentuate those three components in our communities of faith, neighborhoods and world. Viewing life as a communal experience, the common good permeates life style, ethics and economics. Voices are not silenced. A dialogue etching peace’s precepts into all imaginable aspects of people’s lives, since the foundation of peace is poured in justice. How often do we break bread sacramentally beyond an obligation and personally beyond platitudes of social niceties? Breaking of bread punctuates community, as the Body of Christ in Eucharistic celebration and socially to strengthen bonds of community in coming together to hear others’ stories and share a common table of life’s mosaic connecting the links of community. Realizing prayer grasps all aspects of life means we talk to God about everything with praise and thanksgiving, sorrow and lament, questions burning within our soul and silence of contemplation. Through prayer, peace manifests its presence, for we come to know the mercy of our loving God who desires we break free from all that restrains us from receiving, living and sharing the peace of Jesus’ invitation.

For centuries, Thomas has carried the chastised label of doubt. He offers us a model. People doubting are searching, not closed to Jesus’ invitation of peace. When we encounter 21st Century Thomases, may we listen to their doubt, walk with them thru their questions and share our stories of encounter with peace. The signs and wonders of God’s presence in the world, not written in a book, but shared communally, in the breaking of bread, sacramentally and tactically, and fruits of prayer. A presence lived with sincerity of heart, enjoying favor with all people, the diversity of humanity. For only in embracing diversity will one be receptive to Jesus’ offer of peace. Otherwise we divide, subtract and fraction the human family instead of multiplying disciples of peace, the balm of God’s mercy. Will we allow ourselves to be ready for God’s peace, to let peace tug on our moral focus and align belief on the basis for Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to let it be the basis for our existence?

Individual Reflection: John 20:19-31
Read Transfiguration: A Meditation on Transforming Ourselves and Our World, by Fr. John Dear. How can you better accept and manifest Jesus’ worlds of , “Peace be with you?”

Family Reflection: 1st Peter 1:3-9
April 25 is the Feast of St Mark. Part of the readings for the day is 1st Peter 5:5b-7. How can your family more fully live these words?
(1st Peter 5: 7 led to my conversion, coming to the Church and I ended up starting RCIA on April 25th !…beyond coincidence ! )

Prayer:
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, spend time in contemplation of God’s mercy in your life.

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born April 17, 2017 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

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Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized, worship aid | Tagged contemplation, doubt, encounter, God, Life and Dignity of the Human Person, listen, peace, silence | Leave a reply

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time January 15, 2017 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Barb Born
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January 15, 2017: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The social teaching of the Church is also fertile soil for dialogue and collaboration in the ecumenical sphere. This is already happening in various places on a broad scale concerning the defence of the dignity of the human person, the promotion of peace, the concrete and effective struggle against the miseries of today’s world, such as hunger and poverty, illiteracy, the unequal distribution of the goods of the earth and the lack of housing. This multifaceted cooperation increases awareness that all are brothers and sisters in Christ, and makes the journey along the path of ecumenism easier. (535) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6
Psalm: 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:1-3
Gospel: John 1:29-34

Catechism of the Catholic Church
John the Baptist is “more than a prophet.” In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the “voice” of the Consoler who is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John “came to bear witness to the light.” In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. and I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God…. Behold, the Lamb of God.” (719)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection
God desires our ears open to words of obedience, not sacrifice or offerings. For open ears predispose us to a change of heart to serve the Lord. Lives of sacrifice may appear devout, robed in spiritual platitudes, or self denial, the correct gestures, liturgical nuances, giving on cue from an act of obligation or social acknowledgment. But this type of faith serves ourselves, not God. By practicing outward observances fueling personal holy ascension makes a mockery of the Gospel God desires we hear. Our open ears must precede open hearts to do God’s will. Only the transformation from hearing helps us realize pursuit of holiness exists not in what we do but who we are, the status of our heart, as a basis of our relationship with God. A place of peace, never reached as an individual destination, but a collective endeavor of humanity. Not just common friends, people bonded in the same faith tradition, but everyone between where we stand to the ends of the earth. God deems universality his pursuit and as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ we are called to embrace that mindset.

How do we testify to God’s incarnation, merciful grace? Will we accept He has given us the power to become children of God? Or do we live like children playing in a sandbox, controlling our turf, hoarding the play toys and throwing sand at any invaders of our physical and psychological realm? Power not consumed in dominance, but moral efficacy to grasp the mentality of God’s desire for our demeanor. Moving beyond wrestling with separating ourselves from others to venture into the depth of universality where we must share, listen to understand, zoom our visual acuity and take time for inclusion. For only when we accept the gift to live as God’s children, realizing it is not something we matriculate from our own creation, do we have our ears attuned to obedience. Obedience grounded in Gospel mores, not hollow sacrifice and offerings of obligation. Fully immersed in the meaning of our baptism, sealed with the Holy Spirit we prayerfully prepare ourselves to allow the faith of our heart to uncap our ears to the call of Divine words of obedience. What word will you process today and manifest as a child of God? May we not restrain our lips in trepidation or our actions in doubt, but joyfully come to a sincere relationship with the Lord by doing His will from having our ears open to words of obedience.

Individual Reflection: John 1:29-34
How do you testify that Jesus is the Son of God?

Family Reflection: Psalm 40:2, 4.7-8, 8-9, 10
Have each family member share how they do God’s will? During 2017, prominently place a notebook in the house for family members to share ways they do God’s will. May this make you cognizant of ways we live our faith, so we announce justice and do not restrain our lips.

Prayer: Communion antiphon 1st John 4:16
“We have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us”….continue with your thoughts after prayerfully reflecting on this scripture

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/ As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born December 30, 2016 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Sunday Gospel reading, Uncategorized, worship aid, worship resources | Tagged baptism, ends of the earth, faith, God, Holy Spirit, peace | Leave a reply

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