 istening
to the Spirit:
Reflections for
July 20-26, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Psalm 20; Romans 8: 26-27; Matthew 13: 24-43
The last stanza of the psalm repeats the name of God Moses received while being held fast in the cleft of a rock: “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Paul’s experience of the Spirit echoes God’s graciousness, for “when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.” God is the saving one, the Spirit is the praying one, and Jesus is the story teller. He ends his three parables with the assurance that no matter how small our beginnings, like a mustard seed or a pinch of yeast, God does the growing. So what must we do to let God work with us? We must not ravage the field full of both wheat and weeds. In our own lives we cannot judge what is weed and what is wheat; how much less can we judge other people. We throw ourselves on the mercy of God and let God make the decisions when the time comes. God does it all, and is glad to!
When have you decided to root out some sin or fault from your life? What happened? When have you felt your prayer was weak, your attention to God not steadfast? Can you trust Paul’s good news that the Spirit prays within us, all the time, even when we are asleep. Entrust your prayer, this prayer, to the Spirit now.
Save us from our judgments, we beg you, God who searches our hearts. Thank you that you have poured the Spirit into our hearts that we may praise you night and day!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Micah 6: 1-4, 6-8; Psalm 50; Matthew 12: 38-42
How many times we are told in Jewish and Christian scriptures that God does the saving, that God prefers mercy to one another rather than all the sacrifices we offer. Today we are reminded how simple it is to please God: act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with God. We honor God the psalmist tells us with a sacrifice of thanksgiving. How hard is that? Jesus offers us two signs: Jonah and the Queen of the South. Jonah called people to repent, literally a change of mind. The Queen wanted the wisdom of Solomon, and “behold, one greater than Solomon is here.”
What do you want from God? Repentance, wisdom, justice, tenderness, humility, a grateful heart? Don’t do damage to your heart, trying to root out imperfections. Start with a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all that God has given you already. Ask that you might love God tenderly as God walks with you.
Mercy on your people, God! Let us see the signs of your presence and work in our war torn world. Transform us into attractive signs of your justice and love.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - Feast of Mary of Magdala, apostle to the apostles
2 Corinthians 5: 14-17; Psalm 63; John 20: 1, 11-18
Another title for Mary might be, sister to the brothers. Jesus has been so intimate at the last supper, sharing with his friends his inner thoughts and desires. “I call you no longer servants, but friends”. Now he calls them brothers. A new kin-ship is established when God raises Jesus. Our first reading announces: “the love of Christ urges us on.” Mary’s mission spreads beyond the disciples as she is urged on by love. “My whole being thirsts for you, O Lord, my God,” is her song. In the last stanza she proclaims, “My whole being clings to you.” Yet in the gospel she is told not to cling, because Jesus has not yet ascended. But when his physical presence is gone, what must have been her clinging?
“How can I keep from singing, when to that Rock I am clinging?” And yet you thirst as Mary does, for a deeper intimacy with Jesus. You wouldn’t be praying regularly unless you hunger and thirst for him, long to be sent by him, filled with his love that urges you to the least of the brothers and sisters, your new kin. Share your desires with Jesus, and let him share his with you.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving this woman so well. Keep on teaching us to love well, to offer your compassion and mercy to outcasts and strangers.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Jeremiah 1: 1, 4-10; Psalm 71; Matthew 13: 1-9
Imagine a boy appointed by God to be “over the nations.” Prophets have power not their own, for they are so close to the mind and heart of God that they can speak God’s will to the nations. Jeremiah might well have sung this psalm in which the psalmist states: “From my youth you have taught me….” Jesus concludes his parable of the sower and seed with “Let anyone with ears listen!”
A disciple is a learner, a listener. What have you heard God speak to you over your lifetime? When did you begin to be taught by God? What was your first communion like, your confirmation? What has God been teaching you when you married or professed your religious vows? Use as a mantra today: “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”
Thank you for calling us too so close to your mind and heart, God, that we dare to speak justice to the nation, speak truth to power. Give us courage to change what we can.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Psalm 36; Matthew 13: 10-17
“Be appalled, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord.” Why? Not only have the people abandoned God, the fountain of living water so available to them. They also have taken water into their own hands, building cisterns to catch rain water, cisterns which crack. The stupidity of thinking we can do life better than God! The psalmist says,
“You give them to drink from the river of your delights” and they turn away. The psalm continues: “With you is the fountain of life, and in your light we are bathed in light.”
If you have ever taken life into your own hands instead of trusting the abundance of life Jesus came to offer, ask pardon. What are the delights of God that God offers you?
Picture the fountain of life welling up from deep within you, the Spirit. Let Christ’s light bathe you in light. Send him to your loved ones and watch him bathe them in light. Send him to the nations, to the city streets, to the hospitals, prisons and refugee camps with life.
You are the fountain of life, Holy Spirit, and how grateful we are that you bathe us in the light and life of Christ. Thank you! Deepen our trust in your abundance.
Friday, July 25, 2008 - Feast of James, apostle
2 Corinthians 4: 7-15; Psalm 126; Matthew 20:20-28
This is the son of Zebedee who has a mother ambitious for him. The other readings are chosen to highlight martyrdom, the cup James asserts he will drink. Paul lists the sufferings that may precede a martyr’s death, for we are but earthen vessels.
However, the good news is that we bear in our bodies the dying of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in this mortal flesh of ours. “Those who sow in tears will reap rejoicing!” Life comes out of death, joy out of sorrow.
Contemplate your body. Where is it carrying or has it carried the dying of Jesus?
Show Jesus your earthen vessel with its defects, cracks, pains, afflictions, tears, disappointments. Watch him pick you up, hold you, caress you just as you are. Ask to let his life shine through you, must as you are.
Look on your own Body, the church, Jesus, and see how broken we are, how bruised and ignored. Heal us, and make us instruments of your healing.
Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Feast of Anne and Joachim
Sirach 44:1, 8, 10-15; Psalm 132; Matthew 13: 16-17
Legend names the grandparents of Jesus, Mary’s mother and father. Joseph’s father, Jacob, is actually named in Matthew’s genealogy. “Let us sing the praises of our ancestors in their generations,” Sirach begins. Their names live on and “the assembly declares their wisdom.”
Did Jesus know his grandparents? Let’s play in our imaginations for a while, picturing some of the activities, feeling some of the warmth of these elders as they tend their grandson. Then let us remember what we can of our own grandparents. Is there any wisdom you still remember receiving from them? Speak with them now, for they care for you perfectly now.
Thank you, Jesus, for sharing our humanity, enjoying your grandparents. Bless all grandparents, especially those who are far physically or emotionally from their grandchildren.
Archives - January-June 2008 Archives - July-December 2008
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rayer
brings our whole religious life into focus; it supports the
rhythm of our lives emphasizing now the person, now the community,
now the world we serve.
ister
Rea McDonnell, SSND, offers daily reflections on the Liturgical
Readings for each day. If
you wish to share your own reflections or have comments or
questions, please feel free to