Archive for month: August, 2020
Sunday Reflection (August 16, 2020)
Jesus clarifies what corrupts and defiles a person (Matthew 15:1-20). It is from what is within our hearts that defile us. It is from an evil heart that a person dwells upon, plans, and commits adultery. It is from an evil heart that someone takes something that is not his/hers. It is from an evil heart that slander comes forth to injure and harm someone with the tongue. It is from an evil heart that a person devalues the life of another human being. We all have weaknesses that have the potential to defile us and injure others.
Evil arises from within our hearts and causes us to mistreat, injure, and harm other persons. It is not what others do to us that defiles us, but what we do to others when we injure and harm others. If someone has attempted to make you feel defiled through their actions toward you, know that it is they who have defiled themselves. May we not allow evil thoughts to make their way to ours tongues and hands and deeds so that we injure and harm another person or a group of people. Look to your heart, lest you defile yourselves
Prayer for the Week (August 16-August 22)
Let us pray to the Father of all that our heart, like his own, be open to all people: Father of all, long ago you chose the people of Israel to make your name known to all the nations. Your Son Jesus Christ made it clear that forgiveness and fullness of life are the share of all who believe in him. Make your Church a place of encounter for all those who search for you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Publications)
Prayer for the Week (August 9-August 15)
Let us pray that through us others find the way to life in Christ: Father, we come, reborn in the Spirit, to celebrate our sonship and daughtership in the Lord Jesus Christ. Touch our hearts and help them grow toward the life you have promised. Touch our lives and make them signs of your love for all. Grant this through Christ our Lord who eternally dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forevermore. Amen.
(Sunday Missal alt.)
Sunday Reflection (August 9, 2020)
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Remember, you reap what you sow! The elder brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery and deceived their aged father, Israel, about the circumstances. Later in life, Joseph rose to be second in command of all Egypt and his brothers come to Egypt seeking food. Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him. Now they stand before Joseph who has power and position over his brothers, and they stand before him powerless. How will Joseph utilize his power and position?
The great beauty of this story is that Joseph broke the cycle of malice, revenge, hatred, and violence (Genesis 45:1-16). Joseph reaches out in compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation! This is also the story of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ: Through forgiveness God reaches out to us in reconciliation and embrace. What about our reconciliation with others? Perhaps, at times, the least we can do is not be malicious and mean to those from whom we are estranged. Nevertheless, are you ready to seek to be reconciled with others as much as you are able? The story of Joseph tells us that it is possible. The story of Jesus tells us it is possible. The stories of Joseph and Jesus tell us that the cycles of malice, revenge, hatred, and violence are broken! May we live out our lives with that Good News!
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