Sunday Sermon July 9, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (July 9, 2023)

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The prophet Zechariah certainly lived in a time of violence. He longed for a time when people would put away war horses and bows and live in peace. Peace had eluded the ancient Judeans. We find ourselves in a comparable situation, looking for a time of peace, yet surrounded by weapons of all sorts. Zechariah’s hope is repeated in the Gospels of Matthew and John: “Behold, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
 
This is familiar to us because of its connection to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Later, Jesus would suffer at the violent hands of violent men and violent weapons such as whips and rods for beatings. Back to Zechariah: His world, like ours, was filled with weapons designed to main, injure, and harm others. As then, there is a fascination with weapons designed to injure and harm others. When the Messiah comes such weapons will be taken away indicating God’s judgment against the misuse of weapons (Zechariah 9:9-10). This text reminds us of God’s desire that we end warfare and violence and stop spending so much on weapons of warfare. When the Messiah comes, will we be found working for peace or fostering violence and investing in weapons designed to injure, maim, and kill other human beings?

Prayer for the Week (July 9-July 15, 2023)

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Let us pray for the gift of spiritual growth: Almighty and merciful God, you have planted within us and among us the seed of your Word. Help us by your Holy Spirit to receive it with joy and live according to it, so that we grow in faith, hope, and love.
Amen.
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Sunday Reflection (July 2, 2023)

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Do you trust God or what you perceive to be God’s promises (Genesis 22:1-14)? Do you trust God or what you understand to be God’s blessings? Perhaps we expect plenty of food, clothing, and shelter? Family and friends? A nice job? A nice flow of money? But would we trust God if we lost those things? Likewise, we can become so caught up in a career that we conflate it with God’s will and blessing, but when that career is sidetracked or lost to us, we become disappointed with God. “Do we trust God or God’s promises?”
 
A great part of God’s will is this: To love God with our all, love others, and show mercy. This brings blessings to the world, no matter our career or station in life. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are led to “trust and obey” as the old hymn goes (“there is no other way”).

Prayer for the Week (July 2-July 8, 2023)

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Let us pray for the gift 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 you 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

                                                                                                                  

                         

Sunday Sermon July 2, 2023

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Devotion June 28, 2023

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Devotion June 27, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (June 25, 2023)

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On the way to crucifixion, Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” In Romans Paul relates that we find forgiveness in a crucified Messiah who reconciles us to God and yes one another (Romans 5:6-11). The cross reveals that God’s character is not violence; rather, it reveals a way to end violence by not practicing violence. We are reconciled through the extension of forgiveness and mercy and kindness. Reconciliation is the establishment of harmony between God and us.

God has reconciled us, and we have received reconciliation, but where do we go from being reconciled? Do we only bask in being reconciled? Rather, may we keep proclaiming the message of God’s reconciling humankind to God through Jesus Christ. May we seek to be reconciled with another as a response to God’s reconciling us.

Prayer for the Week (June 25-July 1, 2023)

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Let us pray to God so that we be to everyone the sign of his healing love: Lord God, source of all love you showed you have made yourself our God and have bound us closely to yourself in a lasting covenant of life and love. Mold us into a people set free by Jesus your Son. Help us be responsible for one another and be a living sign of your tender love and compassion. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.  Amen.

                                      Claretian Publications