Sunday Reflection (July 11, 2021)

Herod Antipas knew that John the Baptist was, indeed, a true prophet;
yet, when asked for the head of John the Baptist, he could not refuse,
or could he? Of course, he could have refused, but his honor and his
standing were of more importance than the life of John the Baptist.
How often do political elites scheme against others to get ahead?
Despite the popularity of John the Baptist, he had neither the power
nor the position to compel Herod to release him and not have him
murdered. Much like Jesus, John the Baptist was not politically well placed
but God was on his side.

Herod compromised himself which leads to a question for us: Have you
ever been like Herod Antipas? Have you ever compromised your faith in
Christ? That is, you listened and understood and knew the right thing to
do but did not do it? Our reasons for not responding are probably like
Herod’s. We have other concerns that are more important. We have
positions that are more important. But, what is more important than
loving God and our neighbor?

Prayer for the Week (July 11-July 17, 2021)

Let us pray to be faithful to the light
we have received:
Father, may the light of your truth guide us
to your kingdom through a world filled
with lights contrary to your own.
May our love make us what you have called us
to be in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
(Sunday Missal, alt.)

Daily Devotion July 8, 2021

Daily Devotion July 6, 2021

Prayer for the Week (July 4-July 10, 2021)

Let us pray that we reject not the Word of God
    coming among his own:
God, our Father without equal, your Son, your Word,
    came among us as one of our own,
    our own flesh and blood.
Dispose us to welcome him always and to listen
    to what he tells us through the Holy Spirit,
    even when his Word upsets and disturbs us,
    for it is a Word of life and grace.
Give us the courage to pass on his Word to one another,
    so that it liberate us all and lead us to you as your one people.
Amen.                                                                                                     (Claretian Publications)

Sunday Reflection (July 4, 2021)

Do you ever reason as Paul had at one time?  If only I could rid myself of this one thorn in the flesh, then I would be complete for God’s work and indeed do more (2 Corinthians 12:2-10). Paul reminds us: Divine 
power reveals itself through human weakness. God works through us despite our imperfections, and as a point of clarification, this is not an excuse for doing nothing to overcome a weakness; rather, it is recognizing the difference between weaknesses and thorns in the flesh that we can conquer and those we cannot.
 
If we admit our weaknesses, we begin to come to terms with God’s grace, and when we experience God’s grace, we can help others who are dealing with their own weaknesses and thorns in the flesh:  We need God and one another. We do not have to strive to be somebody we are not. God takes us as we are and works through us as we are and transforms each one of us in a unique way unto the Image of Christ, despite our thorns in the flesh.

Daily Devotion June 29, 2021

Prayer for the Week (June 27-July 3, 2021)

Let us pray for the strength to reject
    the darkness of sin:
Father in heaven, the light of Jesus has scattered
    the darkness of hatred and sin.
Called to that light, we ask for your guidance.
Form our lives in your truth and our hearts in your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Sunday Missal, alt.)

Sunday Reflection (June 27, 2021)

Despite all the hardships King Saul had caused David, David had
kind words for King Saul. David was able to see the positive in King Saul
and what he had done for the Israelites (2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27).
Think about it: When someone has done us wrong, how difficult is it
to see their good side?
 
Psalm 130, attributed to David, reminds us of God’s graciousness to us 
despite our sins. In Christ, “God responds to us with grace and 
forgiveness rather than the wrath of God” (NIV Jesus Bible, alt.).
May we likewise respond with grace and forgiveness rather than wrath.

Daily Devotion June 15, 2021