Food in due season

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today praises God “you give them their food in due season”. (Psalms 145:15). The prophet Isaiah questions the faithful who appear to be unaware of the invitation of the Divine “to Abundant Life”. Paul addresses the Romans and proclaims that our relationship with Christ makes us conquerors of all “hardship, distress, or persecution”. We are invited to be people in relationship with the Divine steadfast love and providence. This time of year we have the opportunity to witness in nature the ongoing cycle of life, growth and awesome beauty which surround us. The actions of many people we meet reflect lives taking advantage of the promise of abundant life as they join family and friends in reunions. We see many come to assist with the spiritual, emotional and material needs of their fellow people. What are we required to do? Matthew’s Gospel tells of those who took their lives with the troubles and illness to listen to Jesus and to be recipients of His compassion and healing. Trusting in Providence restores those who are awake to their intimate relationship with God to life and security.

Herod Herodias and influence

The episode which relates how John the Baptist met his death from the Gospel of Matthew in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today prompts consideration of the influences from which we make our decisions. Herod is in fear of the people who consider John the Baptist a prophet and he has been reluctant to act against him until his image as a ruler comes into question following the promise to Herodias daughter to give her whatever she asked. How we look in the eyes of others is too often a strong decision making influence for us. Our pride is so often the cause of our failure. The psalmist advises praise of God for His graciousness and blessings. From the attitude of gratitude we are less likely to overvalue our own position and promotion as we become aware of the involvement of Providence in our daily life. The text from Leviticus indicates the need in our lives for the time of fallow and restoration of our relationship with the Divine and one another when our tendency to unbalance the scales in favour of our position and privilege has been in the forefront.

Wailing and grinding of teeth

The parables in the Gospel of Matthew from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today bring two or three items to mind which inform us of the nature of God and of our need to be inspired to work at understanding more of what a relationship with the Divine means. The wailing and grinding of teeth is the image of the fate of we who are complex creatures who are simultaneously living as children of God and as creatures of the earth. The fact of our reality and the understanding we have from sources “old and new” that Good and Evil cannot coexist is difficult to process. The obedience of Moses to the instructions of God around the reverence to the tabernacle contains the interesting placement of the seat of mercy above the Ark of the Covenant. This understanding of the mercy of God and the praise of the psalmist for the steadfast and detailed love of God suggests that our wailing and grinding of teeth is our response to the separation we may interject in our intimacy with God through our pursuit of self centered goals.

A pearl of great price

The text in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today from the Gospel of Matthew is a portion of three parable of Jesus on the reaction of people to encountering great value. The parable does not describe what it was about the pearl or the treasure which put it in the category of great value. The psalmist today praises God for a quality of “for holy is He’. The sign that Moses had been in valuable communication with God described in Exodus was a radiant and shining face. Our faces, perhaps particularly our eyes are often reflective of the things of value we encounter. The gaze of the lover towards the beloved, the joy of children as they approach family and the gracious gifts of Presence, people and place will cause our disposition to reflect the value we experience. The parable underlines what we know from experience that these extremely valuable finds are the result of our thirst for whole or holiness and they cannot be purchased with the currencies of our commercial culture. As we incorporate the priceless pearl and the great treasure of our relationship with the Divine into our being, we radiate, like Moses, a sign that there is something of great value here.

Blessings seen and heard

The summer is a season for family reunions. The gathering of the youngest and the oldest of the extended family is an experience which is related to the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The youngest in the family are celebrated as the blessings which are seen and heard and offer to the oldest the great hope in the future. Mathew’s Gospel relates Jesus addressing His disciples who in the family of God are witness to the blessings and hope for which he previous generations have been waiting. The Church commemorates the Joachim and Ann the parents of Mary who witnessed and is witness to the fulfillment of the Promise praised by the psalmist. The parents and grandparents plant the seed which bears fruit in the children. Enjoy family. It is a model within which the Body of Christ lives and offers intimacy with the Divine.

Not power but humble service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are present at the same time as we try to understand some of the why associated with the massacre of young people in Norway. The lesson of leadership in the Kingdom of God is the theme of the text from Matthew’s Gospel on the feast day for St James. Jesus shows James and John the model of leadership is in humble service. The leader gives all to others in service. The ideal of western democracy is that the people choose their leaders. The best leaders in democratic history have served. The young people who were so viciously attacked were beginning to experience the path of democratic leadership. Paul addresses the Corinthians on the topics of affliction, confusion, persecution and attack. The power which assures that none of these evils will prevail is the power of our intimate relationship to the Divine as the Body of Christ. In our earthly ‘servant-leadership’ we activate the will of God and like Jesus are invited to be the model of leadership which will be inspiration to all people. We call out today with the deep need and certainty of help of the psalmist. “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.”

Treasure, pearls and fish

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today bring searching to mind. Solomon is to replace his father David as King. The Lord offers him anything he asks for his life. The search of Solomon leads him to ask for wisdom for which he becomes a synonym. The psalmist praises the treasures of God as mercy, steadfast love and commandments. (Wisdom?) Fr Larry Gillick SJ begins his reflection for today with the image of our life journey. Paul proclaims to the Romans the great Christian passage of consolation. The love of God transforms all that those who are searching for intimacy with the Divine encounter to good. The searching of the one who is digging in the field and the merchant in the parables of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel emphasize the search and the joy of finding the treasure which is the intimate relationship of our indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God and valuing that relationship above everything. The sorting of the fish and the reference to the ‘called’ in Romans 8:28 suggest that the joy and consolation presented in these texts may not be the experience of all. We are always challenged to continue to search, to continue the journey. This unfinished journey contains unanswered questions. Who are the called? (everyone?) Who does not search for the Meaning in Life? (no one?)

Pulling up the weeds

The USCCB on line New American Bible contains a footnote for the text from the Gospel of Matthew in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today. It informs us that the darnel which is the weed in its early stages looks like wheat. We understand that the Covenant which is marked in blood by Moses in the text from Exodus is for the long haul. So often we jump to conclusions which prove to be rash misjudgements. It is reported on twitter that Fox News originally blamed the slaughter in Norway on Islamic extremists. We look within and too often we confuse the weeds and the wheat. The role of the weeds in our being is often not ours to know. We can however reflect on how the weeds in our past have been redeemed by creating a deeper intimacy through mercy, empathy or action in relationship with the Divine. Our growth is one with our weeds. The Creator offers the insight to us to let the weeds be markers and testimony of our growth. The judgement of our good and evil parts is only accurate in the eyes of our Creator. We need to move without the imperfect judgement which may stunt our growth.

Not knowing how to love

The texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary explore the nature of the love that stirs our soul when we are struggling with our deepest attachments. Today is the feast of Mary Magdalene, who is a person deeply in love with Jesus and becoming more knowing of her beloved as she struggles with the expression of the relationship. The Song of Songs is compelling as an account of the tension between restlessness and deep peace in the pursuit of intimacy with the beloved. The psalmist struggles with satisfaction, praise and restless watchfulness as he contemplates the impact of the Lord on his soul. The Gospel of John records the reward and frustration of Mary’s restless watchfulness while it was still dark in the morning of the first day of the week when she encounters the resurrected Jesus and she cries out in confused joy. She is the example of our need to know more and live more of this intimacy as a transcendent experience. We try to listen and obey the instructions to seek Him as He goes ahead to our Galilee where we are invited to “Follow Him”.

We do not listen or understand

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today address the willingness of those who are aware of the opportunity to be more intimately involved in a relationship with the Divine yet seem to pass it by. God advises Moses in the book of Exodus that ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.’ The spectacle described should have shaken the most complacent into alertness in sight and hearing. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus cites Isaiah as one who found that the desire of the chosen people to hear and see was not stronger in the time of this prophet. Through this reference Jesus is pointing to the need to hear with the heart and see with new eyes. Those who are present with Jesus, as the original disciples and now have experience of the listening with intent to act and obey and seeing with the mystical eyes of the Body of Christ. The stories of the parables attraction attention, like the spectacle in Exodus. The disciple who works at hearing and seeing is brought to praise as exclaimed in the canticle from the Hebrew Testament from today’s lectionary. (Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56). This thanksgiving for revealed truth is a sign that our senses are transcending our stiff necked stubbornness to be in charge.

Many types of soil

The text today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invites some consideration of how we deal with “how it is”. The Book of Exodus tells of the complaining of the Israelites in the desert who fear their survival after the strong arm and the mighty hand of God has delivered them from the Pharaoh. The psalmist proclaims the graciousness of God to these people as He rains meat and heavenly bread on them. Do the complainers always get their way? Is this how it is? Jesus tells the many gathered to hear Him of the kinds of listening environment or “soil” that His Word will find in each person. The “good soil” which will produce so much in terms of the deepened relationship with the graciousness, mercy, forgiveness and deep delight of the Divine Sower is within and it is not the place of “how it is”. It is the rich field of the God who shall be and the fruits from that area transcend “how it is” to infinity and eternity.

A disruption of harmony

One aspect of human nature which is, at the same time, very frustrating and a motivator for our insatiable curiosity is what psychologists call cognitive dissonance. The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today cause a disruption of harmony in our thoughts about the Divine. What about the chariots and chariot drivers of Pharaoh’s army? It appears that they have not fared as well as the Israelites who are being saved by the outstretched arm and mighty hand of the Lord. Is this a consequence of the oppression to which they have been party? We are sometimes consoled by the cliché that those who live by the sword will die by the sword, unless it applies to us! The Gospel of Matthew at first seems disconnected from Exodus but it may be a real concern, in the light of the chariot drivers, about who are the “family” of Jesus. The answer presented by Matthew, which is also an example of Jesus method to use every opportunity to teach about the Kingdom, points to those who do the will of the Father as the members Jesus family. The chariot drivers perhaps were acting on the will of the Father?

Only have to keep still

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still”. (Exodus 14). This passage from the Book of Exodus in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today touches many aspects of our understanding of God which are contradictory and in tension. The passages of Exodus which are proclaimed at the Easter Vigil which detail how the chariots and chariot drivers of the Pharaoh are caught in the waters of the sea are difficult to reconcile with the mercy and forgiveness we know of in our relationship with the Divine. An area for particular reflection is the contrast between our acceptance that the “hard hearts” of the Egyptians led to their demise and the explanation in Exodus that God would harden the hearts of the chariot drivers. The sign sought by the Israelites fleeing Egypt was their freedom from oppression by Mighty Hand and Outstretched Arm as they obeyed as sheep. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus laments the lack of trust we have as we continue to keep still and look for signs. He tells those who beseech Him, like Moses, for the sign of Presence how incredibly blind they have been to the opportunity to relate here and now in intimate union with the Son who still requests that we only have to keep still.

The Life Giving Meal

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today focus attention on life and the role of the meal in sustaining life. The passage from the Book of Exodus describes the Passover meal which marked the passage of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the journey leading them to the “promised land”. The Passover continues to be celebrated as a meal which continues to bring spiritual life to celebrants. The psalmist praises an understanding of the Divine that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones”. (Psalm 116:15) These words remind us that many precious ones are dying in the world due to drought, disease and disaster. The comments of some of the wealthy who seem reluctant to respond to the desperate need and dismiss it as the way nature controls population truly tells of a deeper spiritual death. The Gospel of Matthew presents the tension between the traditions, customs and ethics of a society and the primacy of the Divine mind which communicates the message “But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless” (Matthew 12:7). The Eucharist continues Jesus Passover where the deepest intimacy with the Divine through “Living Bread” is the food to sustain and activate the Body of Christ to respond to the hungers of the world.

I am Who May Be

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer an opportunity to expand our view of God. Moses is instructed by God to go to the Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites from Egypt. The leaders of Israel are to be told that ‘I AM WHO I AM’ has sent Moses. This is the name that Moses understands when he asks God “What is his name?” Irish philosopher, Richard Kearney, has written and spoken about another translation of the answer to Moses “I am Who May Be” The psalmist praises the faithfulness of God to the Covenant. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which are mentioned to Moses in the dialogue from the Book of Exodus are extolled. In addition, the psalmist recalls the great works in the “land of Ham” (Egypt) which resulted in the freedom of Israel. Matthew shares Jesus statements of reassurance that the burdens and responsibilities of living are the experiences today of the continuing sustaining of people in relationship with the Divine. The freedom from oppression and death accomplished through Moses in the ancient land of Ham is the continuing grace of God in which our indwelling Spirit resonates with the Spirit of God.

Revelation of the Father

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today suggest an opportunity to understand better the way that the Father is revealed to people. The Book of Exodus recounts the experience of Moses as he encounters God in the words coming from a burning bush. The Burning Bush caught Moses attention. The dialogue and purification ritual prior to the encounter provides some expectation of a Divine encounter. The distress of God and Moses over the situation of the Israelite people is the common theme discerned by Moses. The Will of God is determined to be that Moses will take the command of God to free the Israelites to the Pharaoh. The psalmist praises the Lord for “making all His ways known to Moses”. Some of these ways are forgiving iniquity, healing diseases and redeeming life. The Lord is steadfast love and mercy. The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6) The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus thanksgiving to the Father for the manner in which Divine revelation occurs. The Presence is more clearly understood by those open to learning, change and new experience. Those who have chosen to use analysis and human experience to frame the ‘possible’ will find the Truth is quite hidden. The Father and the Son are One and the complete knowledge of the Father is for the Son and as Jesus proclaims “anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him”. The will of God is the primary mover in this revelation relationship. The openness to hear and respond to the invitation to live intimately in communion with the Divine is our required disposition as the Father is revealed to us.

Rescue me

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today can be viewed in the light of their connection to the plea of the psalmist “rescue me” (Psalm 69:14). The Book of Exodus traces the birth and exile of Moses which includes rescues from the edict of the Pharaoh to execute the male youth of Israel and the consequence of his murder of an Egyptian who was attacking a Hebrew. The tone of the plea of the psalmist for a return to an intimate relationship with the Divine is the call of all people when the need of the restoration of this communion becomes apparent. We are aware of those opportunities when we did not choose to be closer to our Creator and Sustainer. The Gospel of Matthew presents the anguish of Jesus as He laments over the failure of the citizens of the “Unrepentant Cities” to see, hear and accept the opportunity that has been presented to them. This failure to grab the opportunities is very human. Some commentators base the severity of the ‘judgement’ of God on the magnitude of the opportunity that we reject. The truth, though, is that we often miss the opportunity because we are not aware. Our senses fail to see the signs. We can be confident that our cry like that of the psalmist will be heard and we will again give praise for the grace, love and mercy of God.

Beyond tribe and family

In the text of the Roman Catholic Lectionary from the Book of Genesis today is the statement that the new ruler of Egypt did not know Joseph. This may be the rationale behind treating the Israelites as foreign and not of the tribe(s) of Egypt. The consequence of not being “in the tribe” is well known in human history. The war and oppression that we visit on the outsider is a continuous feature of human relations since the time of Joseph. The psalmist praises God for the protection that Israel has known at the hands of God. The Covenant which established the intimate relationship between God and Israel is a relationship for Israel to bring to all peoples. It is not a tribal gift. The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus instructions and training for those who follow Him. The tribe and the family are not more important than the relationship with the Divine. The consequence of abandoning the primacy of tribe and family can be extreme. It can include expulsion and treatment as traitor. The growth of people in relationship with the Divine develops Prophets and Holy Ones. These lives are in service to all. Those who recognize the prophetic and holy experience the fruit of these relationships. The Body of Christ is one. There should be no separation into families and tribes.

Deep Connection to the Source

We hear the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today on many levels. The passage from Isaiah compares the Word of God to the rain and snow which bring fruitfulness and bounty to the earth. The first fruits of this year’s growing season are now available for us to enjoy. We know through our consumption of these fruits that they are good and like the psalmist we are disposed to give praise and thanksgiving to God. The part of the mission of the Word in Isaiah is being accomplished in our thanksgiving. Paul positions our experience of the relationship with the Divine at the stage of “labour pains”. We know that the trials and tribulations of the pregnancy will soon be over whelmed by the release of this growing life to the whole world. Our celebration will commence for all to see. The Gospel of Matthew relates the Parable of the Sower. “We are in the heart of Matthew’s semester-course on Who Jesus is and who does His coming make us”. (Gillick SJ, 2011). Fr Larry indicates that we need to look at the purpose of this parable to present to us the possibilities of fruitfulness through the deep soil intimate relationship offered us by the Sower. The good soil of intimacy will fill us with the Life and joy which will be as contagious as the smile of the new born.



Gillick SJ, L. (2011, July). Daily Reflections. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from Creighton University On Line Ministry: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071011.html

Leadership in Life and Death

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary give a view of leadership which both agrees and conflicts with modern understanding. The death of the patriarch Jacob is recalled in the Book of Genesis. The brothers of Joseph fear retribution from the leader, Joseph, now that the protection of their father is gone. The forgiveness of Joseph is more a thanksgiving that the trials endured at the hands of his brothers fulfilled the will of God to preserve many people from famine by refuge in Egypt. Joseph maintains the good will towards his brother’s families as he continues to trust in Providence to be the real leader of the people. The psalmist reminds the people to maintain praise for God as the steadfast love for the descendants of Jacob recognizes them as those chosen to lead the world to a greater understanding of the Divine. The Gospel of Matthew states an anticipated truth that the disciple is not greater than the leader. The great difference in the Leadership modelled by Jesus is that it is based on truth which is revealed to all. The leader does not hold secret power. The anger and persecution of the leaders of the world will also be real and intense. The attack on the soul, the intimate relationship with the Divine through the indwelling Spirit, is to be feared. Those who struggle to maintain this relationship have the acknowledgement of their action before God. They will overcome.

the one who endures to the end will be saved

The phase from the Gospel of Matthew from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today underlines the importance of endurance in our relationships. The climax of the episode from the Book of Genesis today is the proclamation of Jacob that he can now die because he has been re-united with his beloved son Joseph in the land of Goshen in Egypt. Genesis relates the struggle and endurance of Jacob as he attended to the communication he experienced with the Divine throughout his life. The psalmist praises those who, like Jacob, trust in God and put justice and goodness at the forefront of their life. The security of their ongoing relationship carries them eternally through famine and struggle to life. The Gospel of Matthew advises the disciples that they will endure persecution as they bring their message of Life to the towns of Israel. Intimate communion with the Son of God will be their experience and their “saving” before they have endured much suffering.

God sent me to preserve life

“And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life”. (Genesis 45:4) The understanding of Providence by Joseph in the text from the Book of Genesis in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today is truly challenging. The psalmist reveals more of the torment endured by Joseph as he was open to be the agent of the will of God. This quality of openness is asked of those to whom Jesus disciples bring the Good News. The ability to travel life’s paths with conviction and satisfaction that the will of God is accomplished by the lives of the faithful is witness to an intimate relationship with the Divine. The Gospel of Matthew provides some instructions for the followers of Jesus as they go out to proclaim the proximity of the “Kingdom of God”. The disciples are to rely on Providence to see that there needs for food, clothing and shelter are met. Those who accept their message will know the peace that the message brings. Those who reject the message will be in a more precarious position than Sodom and Gomorrah in relationship with God.

Fighting the Famine

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary relate to the desire of the Divine to remove the famine in intimacy between people and God. Joseph encounters the brothers who have sold him into Egypt when they are seeking grain to combat the famine in Canaan. The text suggests that Joseph has the desire to rush to identify himself to them. The better path is to wait and allow the full opportunity for the fruit of powerful forgiveness, reunion and reconciliation to take place. The psalmist understands that the great fear is the famine of separation from God. The psalm praises the steadfast love of God which is the Name that is to be spread to the ends of the earth. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls by name those who are going to knock down the barriers of previous actions and attitudes of mortality and death and reunite with the lost from the tribes of Israel.

Shout with a voice of joy to God

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present descriptions of the relationship between God and people. Jacob experiences a struggle with the tensions between the Divine will and human will. The struggle changes Jacob. He acquires a new name and a new understanding of the intimacy offered to people by God. The psalmist is in praise of God who acts to “Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness” (Psalm 17:8, 15). The psalmist appears to celebrate this Divine action for one who considers himself righteous. Perhaps the emphasis is for one who strives to be righteous and the judgement of this right relationship is left to God. Matthew tells of Jesus action to bring those who cannot hear or understand to relationship with the Shepherd. The joy of intimacy with God needs to be demonstrated to so many. Jesus calls for more believers to bring more people to shoot with joy to God.

The strength of His people

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary proclaim a Divine desire to be security for humanity. The encounter of Jacob with God in a dream at Bethel is described in the Book of Genesis. The message to Jacob is that he will continue to the fulfillment of the Covenant with Abraham and Isaac which will be realized in generations of descendants who are too many to count. The vision of a peaceful and secure world in which God is the intimate protector of people is presented. Psalm 91 is the prayer for security and protection of the psalmist and it is a prayer for support and safety which continues to bring consolation to many today. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is requested to return to life the daughter of a synagogue official. The trauma of the death of a loved one shakes our sense of security. Chronic illness is an experience of daily lack of safety in health. The life in Jesus conquers illness and death. Total security is the state which Paul proclaims as Jesus living in him and we can experience as Jesus living in us.

The Temple for Praise

” The more intimacy there is in a relationship, the less it can be explained.” (Gillick SJ, 2011). The Gospel of Matthew from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today presents Jesus discussion on knowing the Divine through relationship with the Father and the Son. The Evangelist writes that the relationship is revealed to the infants. Gillick suggests that the heart is the path through which the love of the intimate communion with God is experienced. Paul tells the Romans that we are beings of the Spirit. We live and give the praise described by the psalmist to God through our indwelling Spirit. The grace, mercy and slowness to anger of God is the steadfast love that upholds those who are falling and those who are bowed down. Where will the people of God celebrate the coming of the Great Ruler of peace prophesised by Zechariah? The temple that is our being is the home for praise of God.

Gillick SJ, L. (2011, July). Daily Reflections. Retrieved July 3, 2011, from Online Ministries Creighton University: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070311.html

Take a second look

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today compel us to take a second look at our assumptions concerning living in a righteous manner. The mindset that often causes difficulty in our journey within experiencing knowledge of the Divine is what Richard Rohr refers to in his book about seeing as the Mystics see, The Naked Now, as dual thinking. We tend to desire that the situations, scenarios, people and practices we encounter be this way or that way, liberal or conservative, hot or cold. The Book of Genesis relates the scenario of the deception of the aged Isaac by Jacob to obtain the father’s blessing in place of the older son Esau. If God desired that the birthright change from Esau to Jacob, it is done as the praise of the psalmist attests. The idea of the change of birthright is important as a means to understand that the will of God for increased intimacy with humanity is accomplished through the extension of the Covenant relationship of Israel and the personal human contact of the Apostles with Jesus to a birthright experienced by all humanity in the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God. The Gospel of Matthew suggests that the approach of many to being nourishment to the world is to see the process of belonging as my way or your way, sometimes, “my way or the highway”.

Heart for Love from Thanksgiving

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This commemoration completes the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi. The action that we can perform within the Body of Christ is to be nourishment for others. There are many motivations for wanting to “give back”. The Book of Deuteronomy reminds the Israelites that the heart of God has chosen them to be in covenant with the Divine and invites them to choose to live according to the commandments for God’s people. In thanksgiving for this intimacy, we may be moved to be signs of the steadfast love we experience. The psalmist names many of the reasons for thanksgiving. The gifts from the heart of the Divine include forgiveness healing, steadfast love and mercy. John presents a deep understanding Gos as love and the experience of that love through the intimate resonance of the indwelling Spirit of the Lover with the Divine Spirit. The Gospel of Matthew reveals the nature of Jesus heart and affiliation with the searching, humble and lost. The example of Jesus is the guide to be the nourishment so needed in a world starved for love.