Saturday | June 19, 2021
Matthew 6:24-34
Jesus’ sayings are timeless and very timely. Worry does not add to the quality or the length of life. If anything worry diminishes the quality and shortens life. Jesus tells his disciples to look to nature to see God’s abundant care for all that God has created. Seek and serve God first. The rest will be given.
If ever there was a time I/we needed to hear the words of this Gospel, it is now. Anxiety and worry have a way of capturing minds and hearts. Listen to him. He knows what you need and will provide.
Friday | June 18, 2021
Matthew 6:19-23
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about what he calls worldly and heavenly wealth. As hard as they might try to hold on to earthly things, those will not last. That which is important to their relationship with God will endure on earth and in heaven because it is the true treasure.
We do our best to work hard, to get ahead. We plan for a secure future, saving and investing and yet at any given moment it could all be gone. The better way is to invest in relationship with you God
Thursday | June 17, 2021
Matthew 6:7-15
Prayers of petition were very important to the Jewish people. Jesus emphasizes the importance of the quality of prayer. Too many words are not necessary. God knows what is on the heart and asks that the requests of the person praying be made in confidence and trust. Jesus prays the Our Father, the example of a perfect prayer and reminds the disciples that forgiveness is the key.
Old hurts and grievances weigh me down. I give them to you only to take them back. The longer I hold on to them the less inclined I am to forgive. Please free me once and for all.
Wednesday | June 16, 2021
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving were as much a part of the Jewish religious practices then as our Christian practices today. Do not undertake these practices to be seen and admired. They are to be done as a means of self-emptying and as a way of offering praise and thanksgiving to God and God alone.
I pray to remain in you with my attention to others more important than attention to myself.
Tuesday | June 15, 2021
Matthew 5:43-48
The final antithesis of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel is no doubt the most demanding. Love must not be reserved only for friends and fellow citizens. Just as the sun rises and the rain falls by God’s design, so must love and care be offered to all people whether deserving or not.
Your ways do not always make me comfortable. They challenge me. Help me to accept that challenge knowing that with you all things are possible.
Monday | June 14, 2021
Matthew 5:38-42
Even minimal retaliation feeds the cycle of vengeance. Jesus tells his disciples to avoid falling into the attitudes and behaviors of their enemies but rather rise above the inclination to strike back. Turning the other cheek, giving your cloak, going the extra mile is far more effective then revenge in God’s eyes.
It is not easy to challenge others peacefully and yet I think how different our world might be if this was a more common practice then retaliation and revenge.
Sunday | June 13, 2021
Mark 4:26-34
The lesson in the first parable is that God alone is in control of the coming of the kingdom, just as God, the Creator controls the nature of the planted seeds. We must let God be God. Along with that comes the understanding that no matter how small a person’s faith or the numbers in a community of faith, the efforts put forth will lead to the growing of God’s kingdom.
We plant seeds of faith then grow impatient at not seeing the fruits right away. We must remember that it is all in God’s time.
Saturday | June 12, 2021
Luke 2:41-51
We can only imagine the feelings of Mary and Joseph discovering that Jesus was not with the group. As relieved as they must have been to find him, they must have realized that His work, God’s work will take him from them again and again.
We pray that all parents realize the impact their faith lives have on the faith of their children.
Friday | June 11, 2021
John 19:31-37
The hour of the Sabbath is near. It is not necessary to hasten Jesus’ death by breaking his legs. He is already dead. Instead the soldiers pierce his side and blood and water pour out. Through this physical sign of his humanity, God’s abundant love for his people is revealed.
The blood and water that flowed from your side are signs of baptism and Eucharist. These sacramental encounters with you are the life source of your Church of which I am so thankful to be a part.
Thursday | June 10, 2021
Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus’ teaching in this part of the sermon is more radical than that of the scribes. Though they might be seen as fulfilling the law, they do not really understand the depth and breadth of it. In the first of the six antitheses, Jesus tells his followers that they must set aside anger and any behavior that might potentially lead to murder. They must always be willing to reconcile.
Help me to name and claim not only my anger, but even the smallest irritation toward my sisters and brothers. And even if my efforts to reconcile are not acknowledged or reciprocated, help me to let go and love like you
