Ignatius and encounters where we miss the point

Presence Tradition and Choice

Meeting and Transformation

Mercy and the seeds of the evil culture

Cultural idol of technological progress changes through education leaven

Food with the poor for Life

Humble service leads

Heart, soul and strength

Open to see and hear

Go to my brothers

The Will of God is seen in Love

Signs of all times

Be good and stretch for better

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary inspire contemplation about our actions which need to seek good and be prepared to deliver better. The Prophet Jeremiah declares the will of God that the people of God in exile will be returned to Jerusalem under the guidance of a Messiah. The Shepherd sent by God, Jesus, as noted by Dennis Hamm S.J., is more than a political leader. In the Letter to the Ephesians, Jesus is described as extending from those who are near, the Jewish people, to those who are far off, the Gentiles, the Spirit which is the love between Father and Son. The Gospel from Matthew sets a scene of restoration and renewal for the disciples who have returned from spreading the Good News. The Good Shepherd is moved to be more to the people He encounters. The need for our good motivations to be extended into deeper concern for all the relationships we have with people and other species on the planet is emphasized in the commentary of Dennis Hamm S.J. by reference to Pope Francis Laudato Si encyclical

Bruised reeds and smoldering wicks

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring reflection on the journey of life which sometimes calls for our decision to move in faith to different circumstances. This transition may be, for some, of the scale of the Exodus described in the passage from that book today. Certainly the thousands of migrants seeking opportunities to live in our world are in the same situation as the Israelites fleeing Egypt. Our response to injury or even disagreement is too often one of anger and conflict. The Gospel from Matthew today shows the better Way in which we, by the grace of God, strive to love serve and heal in the midst of abuse and argument even when our deeply held personal values are under apparent attack. Angela Maynard shares the story of a widowed friend in relation to the quote of Jesus from the prophet Isaiah today. Seeing the bruised reed and the smoldering wick in ourselves and others may be the motivation to act with humility and graciousness as we model Jesus example.

Mercy mercy rules

More and more for us

Look to the infants to explore truth

Counter cultural inputs call us to life

Social and religious structures reject change

Called to anoint the other

Challenge to struggle

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today set the challenge for us that the task of spreading the Good News is our mission in life. The plan of God for Joseph and his descendants is recognized in the passage from Genesis. Joseph saw his life story as part of a great plan of God and this enabled him to forgive his brothers for their treachery. The Gospel from Matthew instructs the disciples who had learned about the Kingdom, one on one with Jesus, to proclaim it without fear of consequence, even though this would likely mean they would be treated like their Master. Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the theme of St Francis for proclaiming the Gospel we have received by living as Jesus lived. Kevin Kersten, S.J., suggests the directions of St Ignatius of Loyola as guide to our struggle. The Church commemorates St Benedict today. We can appreciate the impact those who have followed his rule have had on the spread of the Good News.

Travel and trust in the Spirit

Forgive and give peace

Mercy and more mercy

The texts today from the Roman Catholic lectionary bring to mind an expression from childhood which was spoken when there was an incident or a mess to be dealt with. “Mercy,mercy” may be an acclamation of surprise or it may be a prayer for assistance from God in acting in response to the incident. The Book of Genesis today is setting up the incident to which Joseph will respond as he reacts to the presence of brothers who had betrayed him. The psalmist praises God as the One who is faithful to our trust in His mercy. The Gospel from Matthew presents the list of the Twelve Apostles who are being sent to be agents of the mercy of God to the twelve tribes of Israel. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the how our expectation of punishment for those who wrong us, brothers who betray or people who reject the Messiah are reversed as the ones with whom we might be angry become the subjects of efforts to bring healing and mercy to the situations. Bayu Risanto S.J. cites Pope Francis declaration of mercy as a criterion for ascertaining those who are living as children of God.

Wrestling and healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recall some ancient Jewish tradition and spirituality which informs us of the nature of God. The passage from Genesis reveals that a Jewish concept that God enjoys a good fight. Our lives provide many opportunities to place the “Why God?” question in our prayer and contemplation. In our struggle we may find some lasting truth or consequence as Friar Jude Winkler and Sam Pierre discuss today. The Messiah who is known to the Jewish Christian audience of Matthew heals illness like a Shepherd who attends to his flock. The demons were thought responsible for illness in Jesus time. He takes on the role of Divine Healer in fulfillment of the promises of the expected Messiah.

Courage on the Journey

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are set in a background of a journey. The challenge for disciples of Jesus on our journey is often in the degree to which we put our trust in God. In the Book of Genesis, Jacob is fleeing from Esau, his brother, from whom he stole the birthright blessing of their father Isaac. As Friar Jude Winkler comments, we can find some unsavory aspects in Jacob and some attitudes which we practice today in our relationship with God. The deal maker, Jacob, is offering God his conditional allegiance. If you protect me, I will follow you. In the Gospel from Matthew, the miracle of healing the daughter of Jairus told by Mark is shaped by Matthew to be one of reanimation of the girl who has already died. The thrust of the writing in Matthew is to declare the Divinity of Jesus. The detail of whether Jesus is made unclean by being touched by the woman with the hemorrhage is edited to avoid describing the actual touch. The journey of each person is unique. The message of Sacred Scripture is understood by those who seek regardless of their place in the spiritual order or past experiences. We meditate on the observations of Barbara Dilly as we read the protection verses from Psalm 91

Strength in weakness

Blessed and Grateful

Faith is trust in the relationship

Trust in Love that heals and forgives

Changing circumstances and call to conversion