God Walking With Us:

Whatever the outcome of our struggles, at the heart of our faith lies the challenging but inspiring claim that although God has not chosen to spare us the suffering that comes our way, God has chosen to walk through our suffering with us and to piece us back together and breathe new life into us.

'I will follow You' - Faith:

In today's Gospel, the Scribes wanted to 'follow Jesus,' but their commitment was not deep. Thus, Jesus cautioned them about the need for sacrifices, selflessness and single- mindedness if they want to follow Him. Are we willing to live out such demands for Jesus?

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Prayer reveals to souls the vanity of earthly goods and pleasures. It fills them with light, strength, and consolation, and gives them a foretaste of the calm bliss of our heavenly home.

- Saint Rose of Viterbo (1234-1252)

We ... speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

- St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Man is here for a clear and evident purpose, and it is his first duty to know it. There are some who are honest at first, but who, after a faint resistance, sink down on a lower range of feelings, and yield themselves up to an ignoble life. But there is a class of souls who cannot set aside their higher aspirations if they would; nor would they set them aside if they had the power. They believe that the highest prerogative of man's reason is to know what his destiny is, and that the holiest employment of the energies of his will is to be directed to the realization of the great gift of his existence.

- Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (1819 - 1888)

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (A)

Acts 12:1-11
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18
Mt 16:13-19

This Sunday's Gospel reading describes the holy quality of "shepherding" that's required of those who are in Christian leadership. This includes not only our priests, but also lay ministers, parents, teachers, and so forth.

After Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, he was called and commissioned to shepherd others into the same realization. Today, every follower of Christ who is in any kind of leadership role still has this responsibility. We are to show those in our care what Jesus is really like. Being in charge of meetings, or directing clubs or choirs or religious education classes, or having positions of authority in parish or diocesan ministries — these are merely vehicles of the mission.

Paul suffered in his shepherd's ministry (as we see in the first reading), like Jesus did and like we do if we're involved enough to really make a difference for the kingdom of God. The good news is that the gates of the netherworld do not prevail against our efforts to help people escape from the destruction of sin. In Christ's Holy Spirit, we have the power and guidance to succeed. Christ goes ahead of us and his Spirit prepares the hearts of those whom we are called to reach.

A Christian leader who does not go into Satan's territory to rescue lost souls and who does nothing to protect his flock from wandering into danger is no follower of Christ, because this was Christ's entire mission.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

List the people who are under your care. Do they always see Jesus in you? Do they learn about Jesus from the way you treat them? What can you do to improve your shepherding this week?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

Describe a time when someone shepherded you and brought you closer to Jesus. When you shepherd others, do they always know it's really Jesus who's leading them? When they fail to recognize Jesus in you despite your best efforts to be like him, how do you handle this?

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Visitors to Rome can see St. Peter's Basilica, the center of the Christian world, and the church of St. Paul Outside the Walls. These two great churches, honoring the saints we celebrate today, are immense structures—it is an overwhelming experience to visit them. The vast open spaces, towering pillars and sculptures, distant ceiling—all take visitors outside of themselves.

That's intentional.These churches are meant to lift us beyond ourselves to God—much like the Scriptures we read in today's liturgy. Although the readings relate episodes from the lives of Peter and Paul, the message isn't focused on the persons of these two apostles, but leads us back to God.

Peter's prison story—our first reading—stresses how God’s power freed him to return to the Church community. Paul's testimony in the second reading points likewise to how God stood by him during his ministry and rescued him from harm. The Gospel account relates Peter's confession of Christ as Messiah and Son of God.

We've no way of knowing how these two apostles would react to the great Roman basilicas dedicated to their memory.But my suspicion is that they would want to shift our focus from themselves to the God who gave them the strength to deliver their message. May we also discover the strength to let our lives reflect God's power.

Embracing Our Suffering:

When hardship strikes, determined not to be defeated, we rally our forces, and we turn to our network of support and to experts when necessary. Sometimes our efforts pay off and we emerge victorious. But we will not always be victorious; the day comes when our efforts are like beating our head against the wall. That is the day we come face to face with what we really believe about life, about ourselves, about what it means to be human, about God.

Holy Spirit - Peter:

In today's Gospel, Peter was deeply touched by the Holy Spirit who revealed to him that Jesus is 'the Christ, the Son of the Living God.' Our human knowledge and intellect are limited. We should entrust our pains, hopes and needs in God's protective and loving Providence more fully.

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To be a Christian means to be lifted out of the old humanity of Adam to the new humanity of Christ. No man is forced to accept Christ in his life any more than the Blessed Virgin was forced to bear Him. The life of Christ within us is free and consultative.

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

I have competed well; I have finished the race;I have kept the faith.From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,which the Lord, the just judge,will award to me on that day, and not only to me,but to all who have longed for his appearance.

- St. Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Christianity is designed for the sanctification of our whole nature, with all its faculties, powers, and propensities, since it was the entire and complete manhood that was united to the Godhead in Christ .... Man renders to God that perfect worship when he offers the homage of his entire intelligence and liberty.

- Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (1819 - 1888)

Jesus, remember me...when I come into your kingdom...

Merciful Savior, hear our humble prayer,

For all your servants passed beyond life's care;

Though sin has touched them, yet their weakness spare

O gentle Savior, Lamb for sinners slain,

Look on your brothers, cleanse their hearts of stain:

Your cross has won them everlasting gain.

Lord, at your passion love did conquer fear;

Now share that triumph with these souls so dear:

Banish their sorrows, let your light appear.

O grant them pardon, Jesus Savior blest,

And give their spirits light and endless rest.

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Dedicated in memory to the late His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong, who was called home this day; 28th June 2008 @ 1440hrs at St. Joseph's Home to receive his eternal reward.

Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord,
And let Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.

Amen.

Surrender:

Surrendering to God is not about resignation or giving up.…Surrender to God is about recognizing that our view of life is limited, greatly so, in comparison to what God’s view must be like. Surrender to God is about recognizing we cannot really escape our humanity—ourselves, our times, our places—whereas God can see and understand all, making our persepectives a lot different.

Jesus' Love for All Peoples:

In today's Gospel, Jesus prays to His Father that all peoples will believe His Truth and share eternal life with Him. Are we fully aware that the infinite Love of God is sustaining us and caring for us at every moment of our lives? Count our blessings and never take God for granted.

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The Word revealed God to men and presented men to God…. If the revelation of God through creation gives life to all who live upon the earth, much more does the manifestation of the Father through the Word give life to those who see God.

- Saint Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202)

The Eucharist

The celebration of the Eucharist is not meant to be an hour of entertainment. God is not there to put on a flashy show that will raise the roof, and we’re not there to watch one. The celebration of the Eucharist is an action, one that requires our participation, one that begins and ends out there, beyond the parking lot.

Jesus' Miraculous Cures:

In today's Gospel, Jesus cured the man with skin disease and cautioned him not to tell anyone as His time to reveal Himself as the Messiah has not yet come. Do we parade our good deeds and praise ourselves instead of glorifying God for the good that we have done? Without God we are mere dust.

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By nature, each one of us is enclosed in his own personality, but supernaturally, we are all one. We are made one body in Christ, because we are nourished by one flesh. As Christ is indivisible, we are all one in him.

- Saint Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)

Being Truly Loving:

Being truly loving means doing all those thankless tasks we do for others without complaining about the fact that they are thankless.…When we seek recognition for our actions, our action is no longer purely about loving the other person, but about the person knowing what we have done.

'Lord, Lord' - Deeds:

In today's Gospel Jesus insists that if we profess Him to be the Lord of our lives, we must also follow His Teachings fully in our daily living. Otherwise, our claim on Him will be mere words that are devoid of sincerity and filled with hypocrisy.

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Holiness is always possible, even in difficult times.

- Pope Benedict XVI (June 4, 2008)

Love Is Action:

Love is actions—without them, there is no love. And these actions do not have to be grand gestures, simply the small, ordinary actions of our daily lives. The important thing is that these actions be done out of true love.

'How much do I love God?':

In today's Gospel, Jesus says, 'a sound tree produces good fruit.' If we look deep into our hearts, do we find God's presence, good intentions, compassion and love for others? These are the signs that show how much we love God.

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Nothing can ever so humble the soul as destitution and the subsistence of a beggar. We will show ourselves true lovers of wisdom and of God if we stubbornly run away from all possibility of exaltation.

- Saint John Climacus

Birth of John the Baptist

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/JohnBaptist.htm

Today's Readings:
Isaiah 49:1-6
Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66, 80
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062408.shtml

How are you like John the Baptist?

On this day that celebrates the birth of John the Baptist, let's consider how much like him you are.

The first reading gives us a description of the type of person who prepares the way for Christ to enter people's hearts. God commissioned John the Baptist for ministry at his birth and gave him his name while he was still in his mother's womb. In other words, his vocation for the kingdom of God was his identity. The Lord did the same with you! Since the moment of your conception, even before you looked human and had a beating heart and a brain that could think, he named you as his precious child.

The Lord gifted John with a sharp-edged sword, i.e., God gave him the ability to speak the truth (the sword of the Spirit), which cuts through the lies and deceptions of evil. He gave you the same gift during your baptism when you received the Holy Spirit.

The Lord concealed John in the shadow of his arm, i.e., he protected him from the Enemy so that John would be available to serve the kingdom of God. No matter how difficult your life has been, and no matter how many times you strayed from the Lord, you still belong to him. He has kept you from being snatched by the Evil One.

Even though you have sometimes toiled in vain and your efforts to do God's work have seemingly been for nothing, as if you've uselessly spent your strength, like John, your reward is with the Lord. He will reward you generously.

No matter how ugly you think you are, no matter if you are too short or too tall or diseased or malformed by a birth defect, you look glorious to the Lord, your Creator. The responsorial Psalm confirms this: You are wonderfully made! Since the moment of your conception, your life has been precious and important.

As it was with John, God has become your strength. And like John, what you think you can do for the Lord is "too little" compared to what he knows you can do, regardless of how young or old you are now. He has bigger plans for you, a more important use for your gifts and talents and experiences and training than what you've been able thus far to imagine. He will make his light shine through you! His salvation will reach others as long as you're willing to serve him and you act upon this desire.

What Luke 1:80 tells us of John is true of you also: You are God's child, growing and becoming strong in spirit. You have experienced the desert of hardships and training, you have suffered and lacked and thirsted and hungered. You are receiving from God the nourishment that can quench your neediness and fill you with his love.

Everything that has happened to you can become valuable and useful when you let God send you forth in service for his kingdom.

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Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John....” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).

John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life.

His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His Baptism, he said, was for repentance. But One would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John is not worthy even to carry his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. John thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.

The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people (“all Judea”) to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus.

Perhaps John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, he sent his disciples (when he was in prison) to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.

Comment:

John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.

Quote:

"And this is not something which was only true once, long ago in the past. It is always true, because the repentance which he preached always remains the way into the kingdom which he announced. He is not a figure that we can forget now that Jesus, the true light, has appeared. John is always relevant because he calls for a preparation which all men need to make. Hence every year there are four weeks in the life of the Church in which it listens to the voice of the Baptist. These are the weeks of Advent" (A New Catechism).

Real Love:

Real love, loving as Jesus loved, is not something that just happens to us. Loving is a conscious choice, an active discipline of letting go of our need to impose our will on others and becoming other-centered.

St John the Baptist - Special:

In today's Gospel, we see that John the Baptist was a very special child in God's plan of Salvation. God too has created each one of us for a special purpose. Have you used your gifts and talents for God and His people so far in your life?

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God speaks to us, without ceasing, by His good inspirations; He sends us good thoughts, good desires. In youth, in old age, in all the misfortunes of life, He exhorts us to receive His grace, and what use do we make of His warnings? At this moment, even, are we cooperating rightly with grace?

- Saint John Vianney

Our Path:

As we begin to discover our path, the one God is beckoning us to…we must respond with openness to the possibility that God might call us to step out of our comfort zones and do something that doesn’t come naturally…. As we continue on this path,…we must never abandon the spiritual practices that gave birth to our mission.

'Blindness' - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus cautions us that if we are judgmental, we are likely to be blind to our own weaknesses and sinful ways. Self-awareness is when we are more in touch with our prejudices and pride. Is there anyone whom you dislike and are prejudiced against?

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The truest test of penitence and witness of pardon is found in our own conscience, which even before the day of judgment and of knowledge, while we are still in the flesh, discloses our acquittal from guilt, and reveals the end of satisfaction and the grace of forgiveness…. [W]e believe that the stains of past sins are forgiven us when the desires for present delights as well as the passions have been expelled from our heart.

- Saint John Cassian (360-433)

amNeed for God:

Self-examination and prayer…should enlighten us as to why we act as we do, open our eyes to our passions, but most importantly to the need for God in our lives.

Witness - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus is urging us to live our faith with greater sincerity, courage and commitment. He will always be there to defend us, affirm us and love us fully. Have we compromised our faith for fear of being embarrassed, of not being accepted by others including our bosses?

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Whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, walking by the rule of humility we shall become, at length, true Saints, sons of God. We shall be upright and perfect, lights in the world, the image of Him Who died that we might be conformed to His likeness.

- Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Sacraments:

The celebration of the sacraments is about recognizing the divine fight in the people and the stuff of the world in the context of a supportive community. When we truly begin to live our lives sacramentally, we begin the slow process of discovering the light of God at work in us and in our environment.

Love God and Neighbour:

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us the core meaning of His Commandments. If we live them out, our lives will not only be meaningful, but also be faith-filled and fruitful. Only with God's graces can we live such God-centred lives. Are we receptive to such graces from God?

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The spirit of God requires a peaceful, meditative heart and not an anxious or inattentive heart. One must have a joyous and modest face; avoid mocking and inordinate laughter and generally all that is contrary to a holy and joyful modesty.

- Blessed Francis de Montmorency Laval (1623-1708)

Reaching Out With Forgiveness:

We are all capable of doing what seems unthinkable when we start to forget that we need God to strengthen us during our trials, when we fall asleep and stop being vigilant. But fortunately for us, our failures don’t have to be the end of our story. God always reaches out to us with forgiveness, with another chance to do better.

Views of Life and of Others:

In today's Gospel, Jesus points that our outlook on life and our views of others is either positive or negative. It depends on whether we have the Light of the Spirit guiding our hearts or the Darkness of Evil diverting us away from Jesus' Truth.

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The humble man has put off arrogance; the vain and pompous man has rejected humility.

- Saint Gregory of Nyssa

Meeting Jesus:

When we take refuge in the familiar places and activities of our lives, Christ also seeks us out, prepares a meal for us, and waits to say those words of forgiveness we so desperately need to hear. Knowing that the Lord is waiting for us, we can jump out to meet him.

Prayer - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus asserts that we should never 'babble' when we pray. All our prayers should praise, reverence and thank God. And our lives should support such prayers with sincere services to others, especially to those who are in need, including our families.

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God is not only my creator and my master; He is also my last end. A God infinitely wise must have proposed to Himself an end in creating me; a God infinitely perfect could only have created me in His glory; that is to say, to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him.

- Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Reflection:

Can you identify ways to be a courageous Christian in today’s world? What things hold you back from the love of God? What does the phrase “carry the cross and follow me” mean to you?

Motive – Christian Living:

In today’s Gospel Jesus urges us to be sincere and faithful in the way we live our Christian faith daily. If our love and faith in the Lord is deep and genuine, we will live it fully and wholeheartedly without attracting attention and glory to ourselves. Is Jesus always the centre of our lives?

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Self-giving is the first step along the road of sacrifice, joy, love, union with God. And thus, a whole life is filled with a holy madness which makes us encounter happiness where human logic would only see denial, suffering, and pain.

- Saint Josemaria Escriva

Saintly Children:

How can you, as an adult, recapture the youthful and innocent devotion to life and your faith? In what ways can you share this example with the young people entrusted to your care?

Christ-like Love:

In today's Gospel, Jesus preaches a 'love' that no culture, no philosophy and no ideology dare to preach. Our Lord lived such a love throughout His life of total giving for the sake and salvation of all peoples. How selfless and Christ-like is our love for others?

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It is glorious to be able to please God, so little as we are! Our tongue should be employed only in praying, our heart in loving, our eyes in weeping.

- Saint John Vianney

1 mile marker

The mile marker has reached.....a twinkling glance transends time through the days and nights....

its has been a year.....a year since you said good bye.....on that friday night.....dark but serene....

remembered and still loved by many.....especially by your beloved and offsprings....

we hope you are in a place where's love a plenty.....

till we all meet again.....

memories will be our companions on this journey......

RIP....

Good and Bad:

What measures can you use to expel the bad and adopt the good aspects of yourself? How do you know that God truly forgives the wrong you do? Must you do enough good to counteract the bad?

Beyond Revenge - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus is teaching us to go beyond seeking revenge and strict justice. Learn to be like Him in forgiving unconditionally and giving very generously to the needy. Through such Christ-like gestures we witness to the Good News of Salvation.

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You must never ask Jesus to wait.

- Saint Ursula Ledochowska (1865-1939)

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Ex 19:2-6a
Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
Rm 5:6-11
Mt 9:36--10:8

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, notice how strongly Jesus was moved by the needs of the people. His heart ached for them, because he knew they felt troubled and abandoned. What's surprising, however, is how he responded. Although he likened them to sheep without a shepherd, and elsewhere he describes himself as the Good Shepherd, instead of taking action as that shepherd, he immediately turned to his disciples and called them to do the work!

Today, there are many who suffer troubles and feel abandoned because not enough is being done to help them. So, when we see a parish lacking a pastor, or a ministry lacking a shepherd, or a need lacking a ministry, we do as Jesus tells us to do: We beg the master of the harvest to send forth more laborers. And Jesus taps us on the shoulder and says, "YOU do it."

We ask God to increase the number of priest vocations, because there are too few men entering the seminary. And Jesus says, "Don't just pray, get up and do some of the work! You have a vocation, too!"

The reason why many people feel that God hasn't answered their prayers (and has therefore abandoned them) is because Jesus responds to their needs through us — and too few of us are giving him a free hand to use. We don't have enough lay people assisting the priests we do have. We don't have enough Christians standing up against injustices and other evils, and so of course, to many who suffer, God seems distant and uncaring.

Jesus was one man serving a whole nation, and he accomplished much in only three years because of the apostles who assisted him. The harvest needs collaborators. There are a few things that only a priest-shepherd can do; everything else can be done by his assistants, under his guidance, so that all needs are met. This is how the Church is made whole and holy and effective in evangelization.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

What has Jesus asked you to do as an extension of himself? Which of his gifts are you using to help in the work of his kingdom? Which gifts has he given you that you're not using? Why not?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

What would our Church be like if everyone became an extension of Jesus using the gifts and talents that God has given them? How would this change the face of your parish?

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Today's Scripture readings make today a kind of "vocation Sunday." The Gospel certainly fits such a theme. There, Jesus calls his 12 disciples, after he has witnessed the crowds, people who are troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. He gives the Twelve a call to proclaim the Kingdom.

What did these 12 men hear or see in Jesus that made them follow him? If we knew the answer, we'd have a better clue to our own response, perhaps—and be better able to respond to Christ today.

I see clues for motivation in today's first reading. Like other recent selections from the Hebrew Scriptures, it comes from the story of Israel in the desert. Moses has gathered the people at the foot of Mount Sinai, where God wants to offer them a covenant. God is looking for their response. The motivation God offers is: See how I freed you from the Egyptians? Remember what I did at the Red Sea, and how I got you this far, sustaining you on this desert journey?

In other words, take a good look at what God has done. Can we do the same as we're invited to a "vocational response" in today's liturgy? What has God done for you lately? As you attend Mass this weekend, take time to ponder that question—and then make your response to God's call.

Scripture:

•You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. (Exodus 19:4)

•The LORD is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

•Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)

•At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

•“Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Matthew 10:7,8)

Reflection:

•As Jesus instructs the disciples to be evangelizers in Matthew, are we to take the same message to heart?

•Are the unchurched the “troubled and abandoned” of the 21st century? How can this group be reached? Is the soul reached through the body or the body reached through the soul?

•How can anyone claim to spread the work of God without helping the poor in material and the poor in spirit?

•“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.” In this instance, may Jesus’ command to be taken both literally and figuratively? Explain this command to evangelization?

This is crucial: we must be converted—and we must continue to be converted! We must let the Holy Spirit change our lives! We must respond to Jesus Christ. And we must be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who will continue to convert us as we follow Christ. If our faith is alive, it will be aroused again and again as we mature as disciples.

The fruits of evangelization are changed lives and a changed world—holiness and justice, spirituality and peace. The validity of our having accepted the Gospel does not only come from what we feel or what we know; it comes also from the way we serve others, especially the poorest, the most marginal, the most hurting, the most defenseless, and the least loved. An evangelization that stays inside ourselves is not an evangelization into the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Church Leaders:

How are you recognizing church leaders of today? Do you support their leadership and sacrifice? What steps are you taking to prepare yourself and your children for leadership within the church?

Basic Sincerity - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus asserts that we should have basic human sincerity when we relate to others. Never misuse God's name for our selfish motives. On the contrary, if we love God deeply, we would know how to treat others with deeper respect, sincerity and compassion as Christ has taught us.

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Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return.

- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

The Hermit Saint:

When you are alone, one-on-one with the Lord, how do you hear his sweet voice? Should you develop a spiritual exercise to truly hear when God is trying to tell you something?

Serving God:

In today's Gospel, Jesus cautioned his Disciples that they would meet opposition and enemies when they proclaim His Good News of Salvation. To serve Him they were also to “travel light.” Do we have any “emotional baggage” and attachments that are preventing us from serving God more fully?

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Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.

- Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)

The Humble Saint:

How do you react when hateful words and actions are thrown your way? What steps can you take to be a spiritual and physical servant to others? How can you be careful not to boast about your every achievement and blessing?

Christian witness:

In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges us to witness to our faith in Him more radically. Are we living a mediocre or lukewarm faith, i.e. just fulfilling the basic requirements of the Church e.g. Sunday Mass obligations? If we truly love our Lord, we must witness our faith in our daily living.

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Humility is a grace in the soul and with a name known only to those who have had experience of it. It is indescribable wealth, a name and a gift from God.

- Saint John Climacus

24

24

St. Barnabas

Today's Memorial: St. Barnabas, Apostle

http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Barnabas.htm

Today's Readings:
Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3
Ps 98:1-6
Matt 5:17-19

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061108.shtml

What motivates true obedience?

Why do we obey laws? Usually it's the fear of punishment. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus wants to place our focus on the goal of God's laws: love, which replaces fear. He's laying the foundation for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. Being children of God means growing up into the likeness of Christ, rather than remaining as immature kids who comply with goodness only because of the penalties for breaking the laws.

His non-literal view of the law caused confusion among his listeners, so Jesus explained it, saying in effect: "The interpretation that I give to the Law does not mean that the laws are invalid. Rather, it shows that you are not even fulfilling the Law if your so-called obedience isn't motivated by love for God and love for neighbor" (as he detailed in Matt. 22:35-40).

When Jesus spoke of heaven and earth passing away, he did not mean a literal end of the universe. The Jewish listeners knew he was referring to Isaiah 65:17, which is God's promise to create a new heaven and earth by sending the Messiah. They didn't know it yet, but the passing away of the old was going to happen when Jesus completely fulfilled the true meaning of the Law. As the Messiah, he had to undo every sin, provide the love that was missing, and make up for everything lacking in the way humankind obeyed the Law.

And he invited us to greater maturity. As grown-up Christians, we're responsible for inviting others to obey the laws for the same reason, not by forcing them through fear and guilt, but patiently and compassionately encouraging them to grow. Did other Christians ever treat you unlovingly because of their legalistic approach? Even when the motivation is love, focusing on the rules can hide the true nature of God. Jesus started his sermon with a list of blessings, not warnings.

For example, consider the Church law about attending Mass every weekend. We could try to make inactive Catholics get back to church by warning them that it's a sin to skip Mass, or we could invite them to a wonderful experience of Eucharist and Christian community, letting the Holy Spirit work on their hearts for as long as it takes to inspire a genuine desire. He wants a relationship, not grudging obedience. Legalism has produced a lot of Catholics who sit through Mass without truly experiencing it.

Holy obedience results in a greater love for God and neighbor. Holy obedience makes a difference in how we love. The bottom line and ultimate goal is always love. This is what makes us "great in the kingdom of heaven."

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Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with St. Paul (he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles) and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians.

When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the Church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem.

Later, Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the Gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the two said, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God” (see Acts 14:8-18).

But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark, his cousin, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that, since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated, Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later, they were reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark.

When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with Gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (see Galatians 2:1-13).

Comment:

Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a man "filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby large numbers were added to the Lord." Even when he and Paul were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, they were "filled with joy and the Holy Spirit."

The Evangelization Saints:

How do you proclaim that you are a child of God and joint heir with Christ? In your lowest moments of despair, can you still show and proclaim this?

Receive - Give in Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that as we have received abundant blessings from Him, we are each challenged also to give generously and freely to those who are in need. What are the blessings Jesus is challenging us to share with others today?

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Beware of trifling with your conscience. It is often said that second thoughts are best; so they are in matters of judgment, but not in matters of conscience.

- Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801- 1890)

Reflection:

Do you treat the faith like a smorgasbord dinner, selecting what’s acceptable for you at the time? Or do you accept the full embodiment of what the church requires of you? How do you walk humbly with your God?

Good Deeds - Faith:

In today's Gospel Jesus wants us to get in touch with the essence of our life. When we do good deeds and pray, do we do them out of love for God? How is God challenging you to be more integrated in the daily living of your faith, hope and love in Him?

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Do not examine whether what you do is little or much, good or ill, provided it is not sin, and provided that in good faith you will do it for God.

- Saint Francis de Sales

The Energetic Saint:

How can you become a leader in your church? How can you support the leaders already in active church ministry?

Sincerity - Faith:

In today's Gospel Jesus points out that a 'good tree produces good fruit' and vice versa. If we look at the quality of our lives, we will know the depth of our faith in God. Do we spend time with others for their needs or are we over concerned with only our own needs?

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O Lord, grant us that love which can never die, which will enkindle our lamps but not extinguish them, so that they may shine in us and bring light to others. Most dear Savior, enkindle our lamps that they may shine forever in your temple. May we receive unquenchable light from you so that our darkness will be illuminated and the darkness of the world will be made less. Amen.

- Saint Columba (521-597)

Saint of Unity:

In what ways can you help create unity in your home, community or parish? How can you properly and effectively address issues that need attention within your community?

Jesus Calls - Service:

In today's Gospel Jesus calls Matthew, a public sinner to be His disciple. We may feel unworthy to be Jesus' disciple or to speak about Him as Saviour to others. The truth is that Jesus wants all of us to make Him known. Are we willing to do this daily?.

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The sun lights up everything visible. Likewise, humility is the source of everything done according to reason. Where there is no light, all is in darkness. Where there is no humility, all is rotten.

- Saint John Climacus

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Hos 6:3-6
Ps 50:1, 8, 12-13, 14-15
Rm 4:18-25
Mt 9:9-13

In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, consider how we are called to be like Jesus and reach out to those whom others have rejected. Who are the marginalized and neglected in your parish? Who are uninvolved because no one invited them? Which people at work ask for your prayers and show an interest in God but don't go to church because they feel outcast? Which ones never get invited into social groupings at parish events because they are too different or too sinful or too this or too that?

These are the Matthews around us. Matthew followed Jesus after he was invited. Would he have joined the group of disciples who encircled Jesus if no one had reached out to him? Probably not, because as a Jew who collected taxes for the enemy, he was despised as lower than the lowest scum.

Often, the people we know who are not showing up at Mass or other parish functions are absent because they feel like they don't belong and no one has invited them. Even if it takes more than a few tries to convince them that they will be welcomed, we should never judge anyone as unworthy of our repeated attempts.

Evangelization is most effective when we walk with others, forming compassionate relationships with them. This doesn't mean that we have to make these people our close and frequent companions, but remember that Matthew ended up as one of the inner twelve who helped lead the growth of the early Church. Your invitations could have unimaginable impacts on a scale that you cannot foresee!

Questions for Personal Reflection:

Did you ever feel like a Matthew? Who's invited you to experience more of Christ's love? Who are the Matthews in your life? What are you doing about them?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

How has God taught you to reach out to those whom others reject? What difference did you make when you went out of your way to befriend someone or to talk about Jesus to someone who didn't fit the mold of normal church life?

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If you're lucky enough to be near a garden, and to walk there early in the morning, you'll understand today's first reading. The prophet Hosea talks about the dawn of the day, and the sun lighting the morning sky. If there's been a spring rain, the garden will be lush and green. The early morning clouds and the dew dampening the garden in the first part of the day quickly vanish.

These down-to-earth images describe both our God's life-giving presence, and our own human response. Where God brings certainty, truth and life, we so often respond with shallow piety, a religious fervor that's just talk, and superficial gestures, rather than a real sacrificial response of love.

Jesus is just as down-to-earth in the Gospel. In a scene that must have stunned those who witnessed it, he confronts Matthew the tax collector. Here was a man rejected by the so-called religious crowd, outcast because his profession was marked by collaboration with the Romans and easy temptation to greed and selfishness.

Jesus offers Matthew a call to loving service. In his call to Matthew, Jesus brings forgiveness and echoes the prophet Hosea's message from God: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

We hear these words at Sunday Mass—a ritual action which can become superficial for us, if we do not make a loving response to what we've heard.

Scripture:

•…for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts. (Hosea 6:6)
•…it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. (Romans 4:24,25)
•The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words,‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:11-13)

Reflection:

•Who does Jesus spend time with? Why?
•Who do you spend time with? Why?
•What does God desire?
•Does God or humankind impose conditions on salvation?

This Christ-centered love takes us out of ourselves and brings our newly found sense of independence into relationships that are not based on dependence, as many relationships tend to be, but that are based on Christ as their center. It enables one to work for others with great liberty of spirit because one is no longer seeking one’s own ego centered goals but responding to reality as it is. Divine love is not an attitude to put on like a cloak. It is rather the right way to respond to reality. It is the right relationship to being, including our own being. And that relationship is primarily one of receiving. No one has any degree of divine love except what one has received. An important part of the response to divine love, once it has been received, is to pass it on to our neighbor in a way that is appropriate in the present moment.¹

Nothing is obtained from God except by Love.

Remaining Faithful:

How do you remain faithful when life presents challenges to you? When you lose a job, a family member dies or other tragedies occur, what steps do you take to remain faithful?

Sincerity - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the Jews who paraded their religiosity to seek adulation. Our faith is a personal relationship with the Lord that can only be deepened through sincere desires of living the Christ-like values of the Gospel daily.

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I can never see a child without wanting to tell him how much Jesus Christ loves him.

- Saint Marcelino Champagnat (1789-1840)

Saint of Justice:

Why is it so difficult to protect justice in our communities? When crime and violence has taken over neighborhoods, do you assist police and other authorities, or do you remain silent?

Logic - Truth:

In today's Gospel Jesus refuted the Scribe's logic; divine Truths are beyond human reasoning. To perceive God's Truth, we need the power of the Holy Spirit, our intellect and humility to seek God's Will. Otherwise, we can manipulate the Truth to suit our self-centered ways.

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Make Christ more visible than we ourselves.

- Blessed Maria Karlowska (1865-1935)

Forgiveness:

How do you truly forgive your torturers from your heart? How do you heal your heart and mind so that God can embrace you too?

'Good Shepherd' - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus explains how He, as the Good Shepherd, loves us so deeply and personally that He is willing to die for us in order to save us from our eternal death. Ponder on the mystery of God dying for us. What should be our response to God's love?

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Let us stand fast in what is right, and prepare our souls for trial. Let us wait upon God's strengthening aid and say to him: "O Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations."

- Saint Boniface (d. 754)

Our Catholic Faith:

In what ways are you silent about our Catholic faith? Are you strong enough in your faith to defend it if called upon to do so?

Human and Heavenly Reality:

In today's Gospel Jesus challenges the Sadducees to see that human and heavenly needs are infinitely different realities. Eighty years of earthly life cannot be compared to the billions of years of eternity. We have everything to gain if we live fully in God’s ways in this short earthly life.

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We must nourish a great love for God and our neighbors; a strong love, an ardent love, a love that burns away imperfections, a love that gently bears an act of impatience or a bitter word, a love that lets an inadvertence or act of neglect pass without comment, a love that lends itself readily to an act of charity.

- Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad (1870-1957)

My Soul is open before you.Like a blank sheet of paper.Write on it what you will.O Lord:I am Yours.

— Blessed John XXIII

Reflection:

When are you most willing to open your heart to something new? What does it take for you to accept the change? What are you doing to heal any heartache in your relationships?

'Beatitudes' - Faith:

In today's Gospel Jesus offers us some gems to guide us to live life from God's point of view. The God-centered 'Beatitudes' are in great contrasts with the self-centered secular values that we imbibe daily. What is God's challenge to us today?

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He who lives from faith not only loves God, but feels impelled to make others love him. Hence the fever of saints to sacrifice their whole selves for the salvation of souls. And hence those wonders of charity and zeal that we read about in their lives and that call forth the admiration of every age. The zeal of God's glory consumed them, never letting them rest for a single instant.

- Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini (1839-1905)

The Solitary Saint:

How can you determine when you should speak up and when you should remain silent? Is silence always golden?

Gratitude - Faith:

In today's Gospel, Jesus shows us how the greed of the tenants caused them to even kill the landlord's only son. Greed causes pain and division. We are each challenged to be more grateful to people and more importantly to God who constantly gives us abundant blessings.

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There is an "atheism" that is closer at hand and more dangerous to our Church. It is the atheism of capitalism, in which material possessions are set up as idols and take God's place.

- Archbishop Oscar Romero (November 15, 1978)

Men and Women for Others:

In your twenty-first-century community how can you lay down your life for others? As violence, abuse and persecution engulf your community and the communities around you, how can you see Christ in your neighbor?

Belief in God:

In today's Gospel, Jesus reprimands those who call Him 'Lord, Lord' but not 'act on His Words.' St James letter says, 'Faith without works in dead.' Pray for the grace of sincerity and strength to love God more wholeheartedly and to show this through the love for our neighbours.

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What are these few orphans we attend to, these few people we bring the good news to, compared to the millions who are lost and abandoned as sheep without a shepherd? I looked for an answer and I found a complete one in the words of Jesus: "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to gather his harvest". I concluded then that I had found the secret key to all good works and to the salvation of all souls.

- Saint Hannibal Mary di Francia (1851-1927)

9th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32
Ps 31:2-3, 34, 17, 25
1 Rm 3:21-25, 28
Mt 7:21-27

In next Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus explains how to be a true disciple: DO the will of the Father. ACT upon what you've learned from Jesus. He's constantly speaking to us through the scriptures and the teachings of the Church. We cannot afford to be merely hearers of the Word; our salvation depends on being doers of the Word. If we claim to have faith in Jesus but we do not do what he has taught us to do, then we are merely saying "Lord, Lord" — we are not following our Lord to heaven.

As Jesus points out, if we take action, first by integrating the truths of God's kingdom into our daily lives and then by making a difference in the world, we will be able to withstand any storm, any persecution, and any trial, even when our actions stir up the storm. Why? Because we are living in Christ's death and resurrection, we are living in his power, and we are living in his strength, which overcame the world.

But if we fail to let the teachings of Jesus transform us, when our lives are flooded by troubles, they'll destroy us — they'll destroy our peace, our joy, our awareness that God is loving us, and probably much more. When we try to survive these storms the way our worldly training says we should, things only get worse or — at best — the calming influence of Christ's peace gets delayed.

And if we fail to take the teachings of Jesus into the world around us, the blowing winds of immorality and dysfunction and abuses will destroy others, and we will be contributing to their demise by our inaction. That's not the path to heaven! It's the mortal sin of apathy. This might sound harsh, but in order to be resurrected into heaven after we die, we have to first go to the cross with Jesus. We have to care enough about others to stand up against the evils that we witness.

Storms will rage because of what we do for Christ and with Christ, but we will not collapse. In fact, we will only grow stronger.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

What storm are you living through right now? What is changing within you as a result of this storm? Is it leading you to greater holiness?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

Describe a past storm in your life and explain how it changed you. How has this enhanced your life? How has it enhanced your ministry to others?