“See that you do not despise one of these little ones" - Mt 18:8

For me today's First Reading and Responsorial Psalm touched my heart.  In the first reading, Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, Job reaffirms his love and devotion to the LORD.  For this affirmation, "the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his eariler ones."  Job got to see his children's, children's, children and lived to 140 years old.  Job also did something, which was unheard of at the time - he gave his daugthers an inheritance along with their brothers.  A truly just man for his time and ours as well.

The Responsorial Psalm, Ps 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130, response for today is the second part of a threefold blessing, which the LORD taught Moses.  The full blessing from the book of Numbers 6:24-26 -

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

May we all have the face of the LORD shine upon us today and for all the days of our lives. 

pax vobiscum


P.S.  Let his face shine: a Hebrew idiom for "smile."
P.P.S. Peace: the Hebrew word includes the idea of "prosperity, happiness."

Attribution: 

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

My 9/11 Moment of Truth

My 9/11 Moment of Truth:
“God has a plan for your life.” I have heard the phrase countless times and never really doubted it. But it took a jolt to bring that truth home more deeply.

"...That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock." (Luke 6:48)

Almighty God, to whom share we go in our sorrows and our joys? You alone have the words of eternal life. Help us all this day to hear, to believe, and to obey.

Hear the word of the Lord! (Isaiah 1:10)

"Cease doing evil; learn to do good.  Make justice your aim"  (Isaiah 1:16-17)

Oh Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.

As I enter into prayer today, as I enter into this conversation with the Lord, I too ask Him to open my lips to speak to Him, but first for open ears to listen to Him.

A few days ago Pope Benedict XVI high-lighted the life of Pope Celestine V with these simple words:

We live in a society in which we are so caught up in initiatives or activities we often don't have time to listen, nor enter into dialogue with each other.  Let's not be afraid to listen to immerse ourselves in silence.  So we can hear not only voice of God, but also that of our neighbor.  We should be attentive and discover God through grace.   God always anticipates us so we can recognize His grace in every good and beautiful thing.

 Lord allow me to be a humble servant and see the beauty in all your creation.

The Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today's readings help us celebrate Jesus' interaction with us and within us.  In our communion with God we are challenged to understand how we are thinking of the presence of Christ in us and around us, how we love Christ in our lives and the lives of others, and how we serve God in actions or in-actions in our daily lives.

St Augustine, the philosopher and theologian living in the Roman Africa Province, wrote on the Body and Blood of Christ.  In receiving communion we are in communication with God.  By receiving Christ, He not only feeds us physically, but also asks us to consider how "You will be changed into Christ."

Today's three readings go into detail through a chronological look where this Solemnity originated.

1. Gn 14:18-20 - Reading 1  Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine 
   blesses it for Abram
2. 1 Cor 11:23-26 - Reading 2 St Paul asks us to "Do this in remembrance of me." until the Lord comes.
3. Lk 9:11b-17 - Gospel Jesus, himself, "said the blessing over them, broke them"
    

Keep Memorial in Memorial Day

Those Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sisters, Husbands, and Wives who served our country - THANK YOU!

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

I can think of nothing better than wishing everyone a blessed happy new year than by reciting the blessing the Lord said to Moses in the book of Numbers.

Nm 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.” 

 

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.