Thursday, July 31, 2025

Glory and Good

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to Divine revelation of Presence and to avoid assumptions from human expectations.


Glory in Life


The Reading from the Book of Exodus proclaims setting up the Tabernacle prior to God’s Presence in the Tabernacle.

Psalm 84 expresses the sentiments of the pilgrims eager to enjoy the divine presence.

The Gospel of Matthew presents more Parables adding Treasures New and Old.


Rev. Anish Kochanichottil, SJ, expresses the hope that St. Ignatius remind us that God is always journeying with us, and may we find the courage to say yes to His quiet invitations, for His greater glory and the good of all.



Don Schwager quotes “A scribe who is trained for the kingdom of heaven,” by Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD).


"A scribe is one who, through continual reading of the Old and New Testaments, has laid up for himself a storehouse of knowledge. Thus Christ blesses those who have gathered in themselves the education both of the law and of the gospel, so as to 'bring forth from their treasure things both new and old.' And Christ compares such people with a scribe, just as in another place he says, 'I will send you wise men and scribes' (Matthew 23:34) (excerpt from Fragment 172)



Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today that declare God dwelling among people and parables dealing with judgement of good and evil and an exhortation to the Church today to take the best of old and new.



Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how dualistic thinking is at the root of our illusions of human perfection.


We implore the Spirit to enlighten our tendency to subject the limitless God to our human constraints.


Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Treasure and Time

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the real treasure that shines in the love of God and people in our lives.


Treasure near the field


The reading from the Book of Exodus presents the Radiance of Moses’ Face.


Psalm 99 declares Holy is the Lord our God.


The Gospel of Matthew proclaims More Parables on finding the Kingdom.


Jeanne Schuler urges us to delight in the treasure that lasts.


Don Schwager quotes “Finding the pearl of great price,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)


"Now among the words of all kinds that profess to announce truth, and among those who report them, he seeks pearls. Think of the prophets as, so to speak, the pearls that receive the dew of heaven and become pregnant with the word of truth from heaven. They are goodly pearls that, according to the phrase here set forth, the merchant seeks. And the chief of the pearls, on the finding of which the rest are found with it, is the very costly pearl, the Christ of God, the Word that is superior to the precious letters and thoughts in the law and the prophets. When one finds this pearl all the rest are easily released. Suppose, then, that one is not a disciple of Christ. He possesses no pearls at all, much less the very costly pearl, as distinguished from those that are cloudy or darkened." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 18.8)



Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.


Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that The Law Is Insufficient.


We are nudged by the Spirit to use our experience of treasure in the sacred to activate our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to serve the needs of the people in our environment.




Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Greeting and Attending

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, invite us to appreciate the unique gifts, especially in family, that we may overlook.


Family and Friends


1st Reading from the Book of Exodus proclaims Moses’ Intimacy with God.

Psalm 103 The Lord is kind and merciful.

Gospel of John The Raising of Lazarus

Gospel of Luke Martha and Mary


Cindy Schmersal shares her connection with Christ through Martha and Mary.



Don Schwager quotes “The voice of life and joy that awakens the dead,” by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD).


"I am the voice of life that wakens the dead. I am the good odor that takes away the foul odor. I am the voice of joy that takes away sorrow and grief.... I am the comfort of those who are in grief. Those who belong to me are given joy by me. I am the joy of the whole world. I gladden all my friends and rejoice with them. I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS)



Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.


Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on Worthiness Is Not the Way. He cites Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem” that serves as a reminder to him when … “I’m trying to control everything and make it perfect.” The line is, “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”… This line helps him remember the beauty of the cracks (and the messy house and the imperfect manuscript and the too-tight jeans).


We ponder the humanity of Martha and Mary as presented in their encounters and relationship with Jesus.


Monday, July 28, 2025

Prophets and Parables

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use parables and the episode of the Golden Calf to explain our relationship to God.


A Time to Reflect


The Reading from Exodus presents the The Golden Calf and The Atonement.


Psalm 106 recites from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness.


In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus teaches the Parable of the Mustard Seed, the Parable of the Yeast, and the Use of Parables.


The Daily Reflection by Mike Cherney reflects on Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee, Richard Sklba comments about finding ourselves caught in a moment in history not of our choosing, and with a task not always to our liking, but we must find God in those very circumstances, or we won’t find God at all… for it is the only moment we have.



Don Schwager quotes “A small seed produces a great tree,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).


Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.


Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments on Perfectionism: The Enemy of Goodness and Grace.


We pursue our journey and seek to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that may come to us through the words and actions of our fellow travellers.


Saturday, July 26, 2025

Heritage and Holiness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invite us to reflect on the role of family in supporting our sense of the sacred, our ability to learn, and our action in support of our family and community.



The reading from the Book of Sirach introduces us to the Wisdom in the Israelite heritage.


* [44:115] The reader is here introduced to those people of Israel, later mentioned by name, who through various achievements and beneficial social activities have acquired great renown (vv. 18, 1415); and also to those who, though forgotten, endure through the fruit of their virtues and through their families because of God’s covenant with them (vv. 915). (Sirach, CHAPTER 44, n.d.)


Psalm 132 is a song for a liturgical ceremony.


* [Psalm 132] A song for a liturgical ceremony in which the ark, the throne of Israel’s God, was carried in procession to the Temple. The singer asks that David’s care for the proper housing of the ark be regarded with favor (Ps 132:15), and tells how it was brought to Jerusalem (Ps 132:610). There follows God’s promise of favor to the Davidic dynasty (Ps 132:1112) and to Zion (Ps 132:1317). The transfer of the ark to the tent in Jerusalem is described in 2 Sm 6. (Psalms, PSALM 132, n.d.)


The Gospel of Matthew proclaims the Privilege of Discipleship


* [13:1617] Unlike the unbelieving crowds, the disciples have seen that which the prophets and the righteous of the Old Testament longed to see without having their longing fulfilled. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)


Cindy Costanzo reflected on how the scripture for today inspired her to recall her most frequent gratitudes over the years and the words grace, relationships, and open heart came to her mind. The scripture today is very much about grace, relationships and having an open, receptive heart.


When I became more open and receptive to the word of God (seed) the relationship I had with God grew. As my relationship with God grew my relationships with my family, friends, neighbors and co-workers became more kind, caring and loving (fruitful life or a good harvest). Over the years as I have cultivated my faith, my relationships have improved, my gratitude for my faith and relationships has grown, and when the trials and challenges of everyday life or a major event appears I am stronger and more prepared to seek God for direction and able to depend on those with whom I have built a relationship.


Today this scripture also reminds me to not compare or judge where others are on their faith journey but to continue to be a disciple of Jesus, to share my love and gratitude for my faith, and to accept myself as an imperfect parent, grandparent, friend, and co-worker and as someone who is open to be remolded and reshaped by her faith in God. (Costanzo, 2025)


Don Schwager quotes “The Lord sows good seeds in our heart,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).


"The Lord clearly points out that he is the sower of good seeds. He does not cease to sow in this world as in a field. God's word is like good seed in the hearts of people, so that each of us according to the seeds sown in us by God may bear spiritual and heavenly fruit." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 51.1)


[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)



As we seek to learn from the wisdom our anger has to teach us, Brian McLaren offers this prayer of blessing:


May you be blessed to see in your anger, not just a danger, but an opportunity. May you be blessed to see in your anger a window into what you love. May you be blessed to see in your anger a pathway into sadness. And may your sadness sweeten your anger until it is transformed into the energy of love.   

May you come to see indifference, complacency, apathy, and self-centeredness within you as signs—not of your lack of anger, but of your lack of love.   

May you welcome anger as a source of information about what you love, about what needs protection and repair, and about the courage and strength needed to make this world a more joyful and peaceful place.  

May your anger lead you to sadness, and may your sadness lead you to love, so that you meet the tears of things with a heart of bottomless compassion.    

May you be angry about what deserves anger, and may you experience such a transformation of your own anger that you become an agent of loving transformation in our world.  

May the deep wisdom of God guide you deep into your anger so that you may join with Jesus in weeping for the world, and so that you groan with the creative Spirit in the loving labor pains of a better tomorrow. (McLaren, n.d.) 

 


We offer thanksgiving for our heritage from which we connect to faith, hope, and charity as the guide to a full life



References

Costanzo, C. (2025, July 25). Daily Reflection July 26, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-26-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wisdom-in-an-age-of-outrage-weekly-summary/ 

Psalms, PSALM 132. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/132?11 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Guarding the Good Seed of God's Word in Our Heart. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul26 

Sirach, CHAPTER 44. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/44?1 


Friday, July 25, 2025

Paradox and Power

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be courageous disciples of Christ as we experience the paradox of fullness of life in service to others.

Paradox and Power


The reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims the Paradox of the Ministry.


* [4:75:10] Paul now confronts the difficulty that his present existence does not appear glorious at all; it is marked instead by suffering and death. He deals with this by developing the topic already announced in 2 Cor 3:3, 6, asserting his faith in the presence and ultimate triumph of life, in his own and every Christian existence, despite the experience of death.

* [4:7] This treasure: the glory that he preaches and into which they are being transformed. In earthen vessels: the instruments God uses are human and fragile; some imagine small terracotta lamps in which light is carried.

* [4:89] A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation.

* [4:1011] Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:311. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection.

* [4:1215] His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12, 15; cf. 2 Cor 1:45). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf. 2 Cor 1:11). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)


Psalm 126 is a lament after Israel’s return from exile.


* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:13) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:56). (Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB, n.d.)


In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responds to the request of James and John.


* [20:2028] Cf. Mk 10:3545. The request of the sons of Zebedee, made through their mother, for the highest places of honor in the kingdom, and the indignation of the other ten disciples at this request, show that neither the two brothers nor the others have understood that what makes for greatness in the kingdom is not lordly power but humble service. Jesus gives the example, and his ministry of service will reach its highest point when he gives his life for the deliverance of the human race from sin.

* [20:2021] The reason for Matthew’s making the mother the petitioner (cf. Mk 10:35) is not clear. Possibly he intends an allusion to Bathsheba’s seeking the kingdom for Solomon; see 1 Kgs 1:1121. Your kingdom: see note on Mt 16:28.

* [20:22] You do not know what you are asking: the Greek verbs are plural and, with the rest of the verse, indicate that the answer is addressed not to the woman but to her sons. Drink the cup: see note on Mk 10:3840. Matthew omits the Marcan “or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized” (Mk 10:38).

* [20:28] Ransom: this noun, which occurs in the New Testament only here and in the Marcan parallel (Mk 10:45), does not necessarily express the idea of liberation by payment of some price. The cognate verb is used frequently in the LXX of God’s liberating Israel from Egypt or from Babylonia after the Exile; see Ex 6:6; 15:13; Ps 77:16 (76 LXX); Is 43:1; 44:22. The liberation brought by Jesus’ death will be for many; cf. Is 53:12. Many does not mean that some are excluded, but is a Semitism designating the collectivity who benefit from the service of the one, and is equivalent to “all.” While there are few verbal contacts between this saying and the fourth Servant Song (Is 52:1353:12), the ideas of that passage are reflected here. (Matthew, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)


Larry Hopp comments that we must never forget what following Jesus, what bearing fruit is really all about.  We are indeed blessed to be a blessing!  Following Jesus allows us to experience His joy in the bad times as well as the good.  Following Jesus requires a servant’s heart – something our world simply will never comprehend.


Dear Heavenly Father, help us to never forget, with deep reverence and awe, all that you have done for us throughout our lives.  Give us your eyes to see the miracles that you are working out each and every day in our lives.  Empower us to maintain our focus upon the goal – the goal of using our lives to point others to you – to let your holy love flow through us.  In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)



Don Schwager quotes “Not to be served but to serve,” by John Chrysostom (344-407 AD).


"[Jesus] says, 'The Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.' It is as if he were saying, 'I willed not even to stop at death but even in death gave my life as a ransom. For whom? For enemies. For you. If you are abused, my life is given for you. It is for you. Me for you.' So you need not be too picky if you suffer the loss of your honor. No matter how much it is lowered, you will not be descending as far as your Lord descended. And yet the deep descent of one has become the ascent of all. His glory shines forth from these very depths. For before he was made man, he was known among the angels only. But after he was made man and was crucified, so far from lessening that glory, he acquired further glory besides, even that from his personal knowledge of the world."

"So fear not then, as though your honor were put down. Rather, be ready to abase yourself. For in this way your glory is exalted even more, and in this way it becomes greater. This is the door of the kingdom. Let us not then go the opposite way. Let us not war against ourselves. For if we desire to appear great, we shall not be great but even the most dishonored of all. Do you see how everywhere Jesus encourages them by turning things upside down? He gives them what they desire but in ways they did not expect. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 65.4.25) (Schwager, n.d.)



The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 20:20-28 comments that James’ boldness didn’t hinder him. In fact, God used it to make him a faithful witness of the gospel. Tradition says he ventured as far as Spain to preach the good news, and he was so effective that even today he is revered as the patron of that country.


Take courage from St. James’ example. He was persecuted and ultimately martyred, but he knew the Lord hadn’t abandoned him. Jesus will never abandon you, either. So today and every day, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with his grace to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.


“St. James, pray that I can become a bold witness to the gospel.” (Meditation on Matthew 20:20-28, n.d.)


Friar Jude Winkler comments that the 2 Corinthians passage reminds us that we are treasure in earthen vessels that may be broken by life but the message will not be destroyed. In Colossians we hear that we make up what is lacking in Christ’s suffering. In Matthew, the Mother of the sons of Zebedee asks about positions for her sons on Jesus right and left. In Mark the request is not made by the mother. In Matthew, the author distances the request a bit. Friar Jude reminds us that it is a rude question because inheritance is discussed when we die. When following Jesus we are called to the Cross and to service as Jesus cites the “Son of Man” in Daniel and the Songs of the Suffering Servant Service and not power.



Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Or Rose who tells of the prophetic witness and spiritual audacity of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972), one of the great religious leaders of the 20th century. 


In fine prophetic fashion, Heschel rails against ritual observance divorced from social responsibility…. He wrote, “Prayer is no panacea, no substitute for action.” [2] While Heschel was an eloquent spokesperson for a life of disciplined religious praxis—including prayer and other traditional observances—he was steadfast in his call for a holistic approach to spirituality and ethics….  


Heschel joined Dr. King and other civil rights leaders in the famous Selma to Montgomery March. Upon returning from that protest, he wrote the following words:    


For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips, and marching is not kneeling, and yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying. [3]  


For Heschel, marching for voting rights was a holy act, an embodied devotional response to God’s ongoing call for dignity and equality…. Rather than turn away in rage or despair from engagement with non-Jews, Heschel became a champion of racial justice and interreligious cooperation. He used his own experiences as a victim of bigotry and hatred to work to stamp out these destructive phenomena in his new homeland and throughout the world…. (Rohr, n.d.)


We ponder the connection Christ makes with the Suffering Servant of Isaiah as we pray for guidance of the Holy Spirit in our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader in service of the people on our journey as an earthen vessel.



References

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection July 25, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-25-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/20?20 

Meditation on Matthew 20:20-28. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer5c902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-model-of-faith-and-justice/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Not to Be Served but to Serve. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul25a 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4?7