Reflection: Matthew 17:22-27

Monday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 17:22-27

In this Gospel, Jesus speaks shocking words to His disciples.  He says to them: “The Son of Man will be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised up on the third day.”  Naturally the disciples were shocked and their hearts were flooded with grief!  They were devastated!

Then Jesus and the disciples traveled on to Capernaum.  When they arrived there, the tax collectors approached Peter and asked him: “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”  Peter replied in one word: “Yes.”  Clearly, the tax collectors were trying to discredit Jesus.

Peter then entered the house where Jesus was.  Jesus approached Peter and asked him: “What is your opinion, Simon?  From whom do the royalty of the earth demand tolls or taxes?  Is it from their subjects or from foreigners?”  Peter replied: “From foreigners.” Jesus then commented: “Thus, the subjects are exempt.  However, we do not want to offend them.”  Jesus then instructed Peter to go to the sea and drop a hook into the sea.  Jesus told Peter: “When you haul in a fish, open its mouth and there you will he find a coin there.  The coin will be worth twice the temple tax.  Give the coin to the temple to pay the tax for me and for you.”

What is the message that Jesus is speaking to us in today’s Gospel?  Is He telling us to go fishing and see if we can find a coin in the mouth of a fish?  I suspect not.  I suspect that Jesus wants us to meet our obligations.  If we do not do so, we are not fulfilling what we have promised to do.  And most likely, there will be a consequence for our lack of trustworthiness. We must do what we say we will do;  thus we will not be a bad example to others.

Reflection: Luke 12:32-48

The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 12:32-48

The Gospel for this Sunday opens with Jesus speaking to his disciples.  He says to them: “Do not be afraid any longer little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.”  Jesus then instructs them:  “Sell your belongings and give alms.  Provide money bags that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Jesus also says to His disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps.  Be like a servant who awaits the return of the master from a wedding celebration who is waiting at the door so the door may be opened the moment the master knocks.” Jesus then adds: “Blessed are the servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.” Then Jesus shocks His listeners when He says:  “The master will have His servants sit down at the table and the master will wait on them.  If the master returns very early in the morning and finds the servants waiting for him, blessed are those faithful servants.”  Then Jesus adds: “Be prepared, for the Son of Man will come when you do not expect Him.”

Today Jesus tells us: “Gird your loins and light your lamps.  I will be coming to you today in various ways.  Be alert!  Be vigilant!  You may find me in the smallest things that happen to you.  Or you may experience a clear sense of my presence with you today.  Be awake and alert or you likely will not recognize my Presence.  I long to spend time with you today.  Open your eyes, your mind and your heart.  I will not fail you.”

Reflection: Luke 9:28b-36

The Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast - Luke 9:28b-36

Naturally, the Gospel for this feast is the account of Jesus’ transfiguration.  Jesus took Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, His face was transfigured and His clothing became dazzling white. Then Moses and Elijah appeared and began conversing with Jesus. These men appeared in glory. They spoke of Jesus’ exodus, which would be accomplished in Jerusalem. 

Peter, James, and John fell asleep.  When they woke up, they saw Jesus in His glory and the two men who were with Jesus.  Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  Luke then tells us: ‘Peter did not know what he was saying.’

While Peter was still speaking, a cloud overshadowed them. The disciples became frightened when a voice spoke from the cloud and said: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Then the voice faded away and once again there were alone. The disciples were silent and they did tell anyone what they had experienced.

I wonder if Peter, James and John were in shock from what they had experienced. Were they so awestruck that they could not speak? I suspect that they were unable to clearly verbalize what they had experienced. Yet they had clearly heard the words: “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”

What is the significance of this mysterious appearance? Peter, James, and John were asleep when this transpired but upon awakening they discovered the transfiguration of Jesus along with Moses and Elijah.  I wonder how much we miss of God's glory because we are asleep spiritually? The unexamined life can keep us from being spiritually awake. Maybe we're frantically occupied with daily anxieties of life or seeking pleasure, prestige, or wealth. Possibly prejudice is keeping us blind to something new the Lord may have for us.

Are you awake? Examine your thoughts, words, and actions! Be alert and attentive! We do not want to miss Him!

Reflection: Matthew 16:24-28

Friday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 16:24-28

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” He warns his disciples that anyone who wishes to save his/her life will lose it.  However, anyone who is willing to lose his/her life for Jesus’ sake, will find life.

Jesus poses some probing questions to challenge us. In every decision we make in life, we are making ourselves into a certain kind of person. Are we willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus? Life typically presents us with a variety of crosses. Some of them are more difficult than others. However, it is never easy to accept a cross, whether it is illness, financial worries, family difficulties, depression, joblessness, etc. What may be helpful or detrimental to us is how we view our cross. Do we view it as a punishment from God or do we believe that crosses simply are part of our lives, just as joy and love are part of our human condition?

What is our belief system? Do we believe that God is a punishing God or do we realize that we have made choices and our actions have brought consequences to our lives that we have to live with?

The reality of being human means that we will suffer, just as we will experience joy, love,

peace, and comfort. The gift is that when we are carrying a cross, Jesus is with us and he will help us to carry our cross. Jesus also will grace us with comfort, peace, and strength as we deal with our cross.

During difficult times, it may be helpful to try to look beyond our cross. We can examine our lives and ask ourselves: who and what brings me joy, love, and care? What are the gifts in my life? Even when we are carrying a very heavy cross, Jesus is with us, gifting and gracing us. We need to be awake and alert if we are to notice our gifts and graces.

Today I invite you to focus on the good in your life. If we do this, we may realize that there is 100 times more good in our lives than what is difficult. Today may Jesus open our minds and hearts to the many gifts we are being given!

Reflection: Matthew 16:13-23

Thursday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 16:13-23

In today’s Gospel, Jesus travelled to the region of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is”? The disciples replied: “Some say that you are John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus looked directly at his disciples and asked: “But who do you say that I am?" Immediately Simon Peter looked at Jesus and said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus then looked at Simon Peter and said: “Blessed are you, Simon! This has been revealed to you by my Father. And I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”  Jesus plays on Peter's name which is the same word for"rock.  To call someone a "rock" is a great compliment.

Faith in Jesus makes us into "rocks" or "spiritual stones."  Sometime we are personally tested with the same question that Jesus asks of his discipes: "Who do you say that I am?"

Reflection: Matthew 15:21-28

Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 15:21-28

Today we experience a side of Jesus that we do not expect. Jesus and his disciples withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. As they were walking along, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus. She called out to him, begging Jesus: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is possessed and the demon is tormenting her!” However, Jesus did not even acknowledge her presence or her plea.

The woman did not give up. She continued to call out to Jesus. Finally, his disciples went to Jesus and told him to send the woman away. Jesus’ response to them was curt. He said: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The woman persisted. She did him homage and said: “Lord, help me.” Jesus refused. He told the woman that he could not take food from the children of Israel and “throw it to the dogs” (for the Gentiles typically were called “dogs” because they worshiped idols). However, the woman was determined. She told Jesus: “Even dogs eat the scraps that fall from the master’s table.” She begged him to throw a few scraps to her beloved daughter. Jesus was amazed at her faith, her persistence, and her deep love for her daughter. Jesus then tells her: “Let it be done for you as you wish.”  Immediately, her daughter was healed!

What are the scraps you desire from Jesus’ table? How persistent are you with Jesus? Today may we be as persistent with Jesus as this mother was. May we trust that Jesus will not disappoint us!

Reflection: Matthew 14:22-36

Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 14:22-36

Today we have the familiar Gospel story of the storm at sea. Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea. He wanted to dismiss the crowds who had been listening to him preach. The disciples got into the boat and Jesus went up the mountain to pray. He simply needed some quiet and space.

While the disciples were crossing to the other shore, a fierce storm came up. The boat was being severely tossed around. The disciples began to worry because the storm was more violent than they had anticipated. In the midst of this fierce storm, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea! Naturally, the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost! After all, no human being can walk on water. They were terrified!

At that point, Jesus said: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Naturally, Peter was the first one to respond. He tells Jesus: “If it truly is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus simply replied: “Come!” Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus. However, the waves were rough and extremely high and Peter became frightened and began to sink. He immediately cried out to Jesus: “Save me!” Jesus simply reached out and took Peter’s hand and caught him. It seems that Jesus was disappointed in Peter’s lack of faith. Jesus asked him: “Why did you doubt?”

The disciples all were amazed and awed at this event. When Jesus got into their boat they did him homage and said: “Truly, you are the Son of God!” Word of this amazing event spread to the surrounding country. Many people came to Jesus. They brought to him all who were sick. They begged him to allow them to simply touch the tassel on his cloak. They believed that if they barely touched Jesus’ clothing, they would be healed. And every person who touched his clothing was healed of their infirmities!

Take a moment and become quiet and still. Then ask yourself: what is the “storm” in your life that you hope Jesus will calm? Or what is the healing that you would hope for if you could reach out and touch Jesus’ clothing? Sit with your desire for several minutes.

Now allow your longing and desire to flow toward Jesus and trust that Jesus knows of your desire for healing. Then sit quietly for several minutes and allow peace, love and healing to flow into you from Jesus. You may not feel anything or experience a miracle. You simply need to trust that Jesus is healing you even though the healing may not manifest itself immediately.

True healing is a process and thus it typically takes time. Yes, there are miracles that happen instantly; however, they are rare. Can we trust that Jesus is healing us, even if we don’t experience an immediate change? In your heart, hold Jesus’ words: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!” Jesus will not fail us! However, we have to hold onto our belief and our trust in Jesus. May we have the grace to do so!

Reflection: Matthew 14:13-21

 

Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 14:13-21

Today in the Gospel, Jesus received devastating news. He heard that his beloved cousin, John, had been brutally beheaded. In the wake of this news, Jesus needed time to be alone to absorb this news and begin to grieve for his dear friend.

Jesus got into a boat and withdrew to a deserted place. However, his time for grieving was short-lived. The crowd of people followed him and arrived there before him. I wonder if Jesus was tempted to start rowing to find another place where he could be alone? Matthew writes “Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for the crowd.” Jesus got out of the boat and ministered to the people. He healed all those who yearned to be whole again.

As evening drew near, the disciples realized that many had not brought any food to eat. They were concerned for the people, but they did not know what to do. They went to Jesus and told him to send the people away to the towns where they could buy food. However, Jesus instructed his disciples to feed the crowd. His disciples immediately protested. They said: “We only have two fish and five loaves of bread. This small amount of food will never be enough for this huge crowd.”

Jesus, however, was not disturbed or worried. He told his disciples to bring the fish and the bread to him. Then he instructed the crowd of people to sit down on the grass. I wonder what the disciples were thinking as they gathered the food? Did they think Jesus was crazy or were they anticipating another miracle?

Jesus took the bread and the fish and he blessed them. He then gave the bread and the fish to his disciples and instructed them to distribute the food to the people. They did so. And as we know, everyone was well fed and there were quite a few baskets of leftovers.

Do you ever get concerned that you may not have “enough” for what seems to be needed? It may not be enough money, energy, time, love, appreciation or ___________ (you fill in the blank). These are the times when we need to go to Jesus and ask him to supply us with what we truly need.  Jesus will give us what we need; however, it may not be exactly what we asked for.  At these times, will we trust that Jesus is supplying us with “the loaves and fishes” that we need? Or will we complain because Jesus has disappointed us?

Today, may we trust Jesus to gift us with everything we need at this time. May we remember to thank Him for the gifts, graces, and challenges) that we receive today!  Jesus is with us!