Reflection: Mark 12:38-44

Sunday of the 32^nd Week of Ordinary Time – Mark 12:38-44

This Gospel begins with Jesus warning the people about the scribes.  He tells the crowd to “Beware of the scribes who dress in long robes, who love the greetings they receive in the marketplaces and the seats of honor they have at banquets and in the synagogue.”  Jesus then accuses the scribes of “devouring” the homes of widows as they recite lengthy prayers.  Jesus is blunt when he says that the scribes will receive a severe condemnation.  Clearly, Jesus was neither a friend nor an admirer of the scribes.

Jesus then sat down opposite the treasury.  He took notice of the individuals who were putting money into the treasury.  Many wealthy individuals put in large sums of money.  However, a poor widow came and put in two small coins that amounted to just a few cents.  Jesus took notice of this woman and her small gift.

Jesus then called his disciples and said to them: “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put more into the treasury than all the other contributors that were giving to the treasury.  Most people gave from their wealth while this widow gave from her poverty.”  The woman contributed to the treasury much of her small income.  What a generous and loving gift! 

Clearly Jesus was rebuking the wealthy who often took from the poor for their own gain.  Jesus then lifts up and praises the poor widow who freely gave to God from the little that she had.  Today may we ask ourselves: Do I give from my abundance or from my want?  How do I share my time, my talents and my treasure?  Or do I have a tendency to hoard my time, talents, and treasure?

Jesus has blessed all of us with many gifts.  However, most of our gifts are not monetary.  How do we share our gifts of joy, love, time and talents?  Do we share these gifts freely?  Or do we hoard them?  Today may we share our abundance throughout our day.  The gifts we give may be simple and yet they may be extremely valuable to the person who receives your gift.  Trust that God, the giver of all good gifts, will use you and your gifts today.  Give thanks for the gifts you have to share with others.  And give thanks for the gifts that others share with you!

Reflection: Luke 16:9, 22-27

Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time - Luke 16:9, 22-27

This Gospel begins with Jesus instructing his disciples in a very unusual manner. He tells them: “I tell you, make friends for yourself with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails you, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Jesus then says: “The individual who is trustworthy in small matters also will be trustworthy in important matters.” He continues on: “The individual who is not trustworthy in small matters most likely will be dishonest in dealing with important matters.”

Trust is one of the most important values to human beings. If we do not trust another person, we likely will keep our distance from that individual. If we have been hurt or wronged by a family member or friend, it may take us a long time before we trust that individual with our thoughts and feelings. Now ask yourself: do you consider yourself to be a trustworthy person? When are you trustworthy and when do you slack off? Are there times when you realize that you also are serving two masters: God and man?

Today Jesus is reminding us of what we as Christians are called to be and to do. He is reminding us to be true to what we profess and then to live out what we profess in our daily lives. Today I invite you to take some time and examine yourself: Do I truly live what I profess in my words, my actions and my attitudes? In what arena/s of my life am I not living what I profess? Do I follow through on what I have promised to do? What do I want to change so that I truly am “walking my talk?” Today I invite you to be mindful throughout your day! It is so easy for us to begin to slack off, especially in the seemingly small matters of life. Today may we strive to be our best and truly live what we profess!

Reflection: Luke 16:1-8

Friday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time – Luke 16:1-8

 

This Gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples another parable.  He says to the disciples: “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.”  Upon hearing this report, the rich man immediately summoned his steward and said, “What is this I hear about you?”  Then the rich man demanded that the steward immediately give him a full account of his duties and his accounts.  The rich man also told the steward that he was fired for misconduct.     

 

The steward was worried about what his future would hold.  Physically the steward was not strong.  He had never done any labor with his hands.  And he realized that his employer would not give him a good reference.  He was not strong.  He did not have any skills with his hands.  Nor was he a farmer.  However, the steward did have one skill: he was a wily and cunning man. 

 

After giving the situation some thought, the steward came up with a plan.  He decided to call in each of his master’s debtors.  When the first man came in, the steward asked the man how much money he owed the master.   The man replied: “One hundred measures of olive oil.”  The steward then told the man to take his promissory note and to change the amount of the note to fifty measures of olive oil. 

 

Then the steward called in the next debtor.  This man held a promissory note for one hundred measures of wheat.  The steward instructed this man to change the amount of his note to eighty measures of wheat.  What a wily man this steward was.  Was he hoping one of these men might hire him if/when he was fired for stealing from the rich man? 

 

When the master found out what the steward had done, he commended the steward for being so enterprising.  In today’s world, the man immediately would have been arrested and put in jail, brought into court on charges and he likely would have ended up in prison.  What is Jesus telling us in this parable?  Is he encouraging us to be sly and to feather our own nest at the cost of others?  Jesus is not condoning what the steward did although the master does praise the steward for being clever, creative and inventive.  However, this does not give us leeway to perpetrate fraud in order to gain more for ourselves.  I wonder if Jesus is inviting us to be clever, creative, inventive and enterprising in how we live our lives?  This does not necessarily mean we have to cheat someone else. 

 

Some of the individuals that I have met who “color outside the lines” often are happier, freer and more peaceful.  Today I invite you in one small way to “color outside the lines.”  Then notice: How did that feel?  Often in our lives, we may be living as if we were in a straight-jacket.  And we may not even recognize that we are wearing a straight-jacket.  Today take an hour and remove your “straight-jacket.”  Enjoy the freedom!  Play!  Dance!  Be happy!  (And chances are good that you won’t be hurting anyone else!)

 

Reflection: Luke 15:1-10

Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time – Luke 15:1-10
                  

Today Jesus is surrounded by sinners and tax collectors.  They had gathered around Jesus to listen to him preach.  There were many Pharisees and scribes also in the crowd.  After a time, they began to complain.  They said: “This man welcomes sinners.  Not only does Jesus welcome sinners, he also eats with them.”  Naturally, Jesus clearly heard their comments (as the Pharisees had intended).

 

Jesus then addressed a parable to them:  “If a shepherd has 100 sheep and one of the sheep wanders off and gets lost, would the shepherd not leave the 99 sheep to go and find the lost sheep?”  Jesus then continues:  “And when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, will he not put the lost sheep on his shoulders and lovingly carry it back home, and share this good news with his family and friends?” 

 

Jesus changes course and uses another example: “What woman having ten coins and then losing one of the coins, would not light a lamp and search her home looking for the precious coin?  And when the woman finds the coin, will she not call her relatives and neighbors and say: ‘Come and rejoice with me!  I have found the precious coin that I had lost!’”  Jesus then says to his listeners: “In the same way, there will be great rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

 

Ask yourself: How many times in your life have you wandered away from Jesus?  I assume all of us have done, at the very least, some minor wandering away from Jesus.  However, there also may have been times in our lives when we were estranged from Jesus.  This may have been caused by a tragedy in your life, perhaps the loss of a loved one, the loss of work, financial problems, or perhaps estrangement from a loved one.   Or perhaps over time you became disenchanted with Jesus.

 

Today I invite you to be mindful of the individuals you encounter today who might be a considered an outsider or a “lost sheep.”  The person may be a homeless man or woman.  Or perhaps it is an older neighbor who lives alone, someone who would appreciate some of your time and attention.  Or it may be a family member who lives on the fringe of the family system.  And also ask yourself: In what way/s might I be considered an outsider by the people in my life?   

 

Jesus loves and values every person on this planet (and perhaps other planets)!  Jesus does not look at an individual’s talents, intelligence, salary, or status.  Each and every individual is loved and cherished by Jesus. 

 

Jesus calls us to follow him, to live as he did.  Today will we consciously choose to follow in his footsteps?  If we decide to do so, we may give another person a loving and special gift! 

Reflection: Luke 14:25-33

Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time –Luke 14:25-33

 

The Gospel for today can be a difficult one to understand.  Jesus once again was on the road with his disciples and great crowds were following him.  At one point, Jesus turned to the crowds and addressed them.  He said: “If anyone comes to me who does not hate his father and mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and even his/her own life, s/he cannot be my disciple.”  Jesus then adds:  “Whoever does not carry his/her cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” 

 

These are extremely strong words!  Did Jesus truly mean that we are to hate our parents, brothers, sisters, children and friends?  Or is Jesus telling us that if we choose to follow him we need to realize that Jesus needs to be first in our lives?  Jesus is making a very clear and strong point.  Our primary allegiance always needs to be to Jesus.  Jesus is not saying that we cannot or should not love and care for our families and our friends.  He realizes that we have committed ourselves to our families and we need to live out that commitment. 

 

Rather, Jesus is telling his listeners what is essential.  First and foremost, Jesus must be first in our lives.  However, Jesus also wants us to love and care deeply for our family, our friends and for the world community.  Today may we strive to love each person we encounter: the person we pass in the grocery store, a co-worker who is struggling, or it may be an individual we simply do not like.  The quality of love that Jesus hopes we will have for one another surpasses the simple notion of liking another person.  Rather, Jesus hopes that we truly will love (in a manner of speaking) every person in our world.  This may sound impossible.  However, with Jesus’ grace and love, we have the ability to do this.   The question for each of us may be: will we choose to do this?

Reflection: Luke 14:15-24

 

Tuesday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24  

 

The Gospel begins with Jesus once again at table.  As they were enjoying the meal, one of the people at table said to Jesus: “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”  Jesus responded to this statement in an unusual way.  Jesus told his fellow diners a parable.  “A man gave a great banquet and he invited many people to attend.  When the banquet was prepared, the man sent his servants to go and tell his invited guests to come and enjoy the banquet.”

 

However, the response the servants received when they invited the guests to come was not the response the host expected.  Many of the invited guests had excuses or reasons why they could not come to the banquet.  One man said: “I have just purchased a field and I must go and see it.”  Another invited guest gave the excuse that he had just bought 5 oxen and he needed to go and evaluate them.  Another guest had the excuse of just getting married!  How could he leave his new wife?  Most of the invited guests were unable to attend the banquet.  (I wonder if the excuses were real or if the excuses were given so they would not have to attend the banquet?)

 

The host who had invited the guests to the banquet was enraged.  How dare everyone refuse to come to his banquet!  After all, he was an important man.  Finally the man decided to send his servants out to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame to his banquet.  The servants did so and many people came.  However, there still was room for more guests.  Thus the master instructed his servants to go out to the “highways and byways” and invite every person they met to the banquet.  He was determined to fill his house with guests!

 

Jesus was not simply telling a story.  In this parable, Jesus was referring to the many individuals who refused to listen to his invitation to come and dine with him.  Today Jesus is inviting us to his house.  Jesus wants to sit at table with us and talk with us.  Jesus wants to break bread and share wine with each of us.  How will you (and I) respond to his invitation?  Will we also make excuses for not being able to take time to dine with him?  Or will we joyfully accept his invitation and enjoy a long, leisurely meal with Jesus?  What a wonderful opportunity we have been gifted with today.  However, the question remains: Will we accept Jesus’ invitation?  What will be your response?

Reflection: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) – John 6:37-40

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) – John 6:37-40
 

On the 2nd day of November, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.”    This feast often is called the “Feast of All Souls.”  This is the Church’s day to remember and pray for all of the people who have gone before us.

 

Today I invite you to take some extra time to remember and pray for the significant individuals in your life who have left this world.   They may be family members, friends or individuals who made a significant difference in your life.  What impact did these men and women have in your life?  Today take time to remember each one of these special individuals.  Remember their smile and their care for you.  Trust that these beloved individuals are still watching over you and perhaps today, they may be interceding on your behalf with God. 

 

Take time to thank God, Jesus and the Spirit for gifting you with these special individuals.  And when you have moved on to heaven, trust that you also will be remembered with great love and prayer by your family and friends!

Reflection: Solemnity of All Saints – Matthew 5:1-12a

 

Solemnity of All Saints – Matthew 5:1-12a

 

This feast of All Saints was instituted by Emperor Louis the Pious in 840A.D. when Pope Gregory IV requested that the feast be introduced into his territories.  With the consent of the bishops of Germany and France, the Emperor ordered it to be celebrated on November 1^st in the whole empire.  Then in 1484, Pope Sixtus IV established this feast as a holy day of obligation for the entire Latin Church.  This feast has been celebrated for many centuries.

This feast had a two-fold purpose.  One purpose was to venerate all of the saints and martyrs on this special feast.  There simply were not enough days in the calendar year to honor all of the women and men who had been canonized saints by the Catholic Church.  The church also recognized that throughout the centuries, there also were many other holy women and men who had not formally been named a saint.   Thus, the Feast of All Saints was instituted as a feast day that was inclusive of all the saints, named and unnamed.   

 The Gospel chosen for this feast day is the Beatitudes.  How very appropriate.  Matthew writes: “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain.” As always, Jesus’ disciples followed him.  Jesus then began to teach them.  He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God!”  Then he continued on naming the other seven Beatitudes. 

The Beatitudes truly are “be” attitudes.  On this Feast of All Saints, may we remember and give thanks for the many individuals in our lives who daily lived out the Beatitudes.  These men and women (the saints named and unnamed) incorporated in their daily lives this teaching of Jesus.  Ask yourself: Who do you know who truly lives out these be-attitudes?  Do you consciously strive to live and embody the Beatitudes in your daily life? 

Today I invite you to choose one “be-attitude” to consciously embody today.  At the end of today, take some time and reflect on your day.  Was this day different from an ordinary day?  What did you notice?  Who did you notice?  Did you sense Jesus’ presence with you at times?

These “be-attitudes” have the potential to change our lives and hearts if we strive to embody them every day of our lives.  Are we willing to give ourselves to this endeavor?  If we do so, we also will impact our world just as the Saints did!  And to our surprise, we may be transformed as we daily strive to live the “be-attitudes!”