Transform and transfigured

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to explore the connection between mystical experience, a sense of the sacred and our transformation as followers of Jesus during our journey.

Place of encounter

In the reading from the Book of Daniel, the Son of Man appears among the Beasts of persecuting empires.

* [7:13–14] One like a son of man: In contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which are represented as grotesque beasts, the coming Kingdom of God is represented by a human figure. Scholars disagree as to whether this figure should be taken as a collective symbol for the people of God (cf. 7:27) or identified as a particular individual, e.g., the archangel Michael (cf. 12:1) or the messiah. The phrase “Son of Man” becomes a title for Jesus in the gospels, especially in passages dealing with the Second Coming (Mk 13 and parallels).1 

In Psalm 97 the hymn begins with God appearing in a storm.

* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12).2 

The passage from the second letter of Peter calls to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth.

 * [1:12–19] The purpose in writing is to call to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth, even as he faces the end of his life (2 Pt 1:12–15), his eyewitness testimony to Christ (1 Pt 1:16–18), and the true prophetic message (2 Pt 1:19) through the Spirit in scripture (2 Pt 1:20–21), in contrast to what false teachers are setting forth (2 Pt 2).3

The Gospel from Luke describes the Transfiguration of Jesus.

* [9:28–36] Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Lk 9:32); see also notes on Mt 17:1–8 and Mk 9:2–8.4 

Steve Scholer asks why compliment someone anyway? Is it our duty to make someone feel good about themselves or their work? We are all big people, so why should we waste our time singling out an achievement or something we liked? For that matter, why did God tell Jesus he was “well pleased” with him? Wasn’t Jesus just fulfilling the prophecy?

As Christians, we need to be aware of the positive impact our interaction with others and our sincere and genuine compliments can have. We should recognize and compliment the good a person is doing in their life to help others, the unselfish way in which they share their time and talent with those less fortunate, or the success they have had in overcoming obstacles. Our admiration, support, or encouragement can bring a smile to a face, change a mood, soothe souls and maybe even change a life.5 

Don Schwager quotes “The transfiguration of Jesus,” by Saint Jerome (347-420 AD).

"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10)6 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:28-36 comments that the Father also knew that as Jesus approached his passion, he would need a powerful sign that he would not be going through it alone. So he said, “This is my chosen Son,” echoing the words he had spoken at Jesus’ baptism, when he was just beginning his public ministry ((Luke 9:35; 3:22). Imagine how much comfort and encouragement this event gave to Jesus!

If God cared for his Son in such a profound way, of course he will care for you. You too are his beloved, his chosen one. When you are facing difficult times or even just trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, your Father wants to encourage you. He probably won’t speak in an audible voice, but he will reassure you of his love, his comfort, and his support. He may do it through the steadfast presence of a friend
or spouse, or through a Scripture verse that speaks to your heart. He may give you some small sign that you should persevere on the path you’re on, even when you’re tempted to doubt.7 

The Catholic Culture website shares the Collect Prayer for today.

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become co-heirs with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.8 

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the Son of Man and Suffering Servant imagery in the Liturgy for today. In Luke, Jesus prays 11 times including on Mt Tabor prior to His Transfiguration. Friar Jude confirms that mystical experience is often difficult to share with others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that Dom Bede Griffiths (1906–1993) believed, the Hindu world had much to teach the West. India had preserved a religious depth, an appreciation for interiority, that was so often effaced in Western culture. A true dialogue between East and West would help seekers in both cultures to travel “upstream,” [to what Cynthia Bourgeault calls the “headwaters” of the world’s religions—RR] to find their way to a deeper dimension of reality in which all religious paths might ultimately converge.

In Kerala Griffiths helped to establish a monastic ashram—a community faithful to the monastic tradition, while adapting its form to Indian culture. . . . He experimented with yoga, meditation, and other Indian spiritual disciplines. He also immersed himself in the study of Vedanta and the Hindu religious classics. His study confirmed his faith that Christ represented the fulfillment of the religious quest. But just as the church had discerned the mystery of Christ hidden in the religious history of Israel, so it was possible and necessary to discover the face of Christ hidden within all the religions of the world. . . . This was Griffiths’s life project and his passion.9 

The Gospel shares the mystical experience of Peter John and James in prayer with Jesus. The encounters we have with the Divine on our journey add strength to our faith in mystical connection.

References

1	(n.d.). Daniel, chapter 7 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/daniel/7
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 97 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/97
3	(n.d.). 2 Peter, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/2peter/1
4	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/9
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 6, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast) - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/08/06/
8	(n.d.). Catholic Culture. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://www.catholicculture.org/
9	(2019, August 6). Feast of the Transfiguration — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://cac.org/feast-of-the-transfiguration-2019-08-06/

Fed in faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today make a connection between our physical and spiritual hunger.

Fed by community

In the reading from Numbers, discontent of the people of Israel with the food provided by God reflects their decreasing faith in God.

* [11:7] Coriander seed: see note on Ex 16:31. Bdellium: a transparent, amber-colored gum resin, which is also mentioned in Gn 2:12.1 

In Psalm 81 the people hear a divine word telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9) and gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13).

* [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13). But if Israel repents, God will be with them once again, bestowing protection and fertility (Ps 81:14–16).2 

In the Gospel from Matthew the Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand invite contemplation of Providence in our lives.

 * [14:13–21] The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus that is recounted in all four gospels. The principal reason for that may be that it was seen as anticipating the Eucharist and the final banquet in the kingdom (Mt 8:11; 26:29), but it looks not only forward but backward, to the feeding of Israel with manna in the desert at the time of the Exodus (Ex 16), a miracle that in some contemporary Jewish expectation would be repeated in the messianic age (2 Bar 29:8). It may also be meant to recall Elisha’s feeding a hundred men with small provisions (2 Kgs 4:42–44).3

Amy Hoover is inviting us all to take a breath and ask How is the Lord sustaining and providing for us today? Can we see how God is using what is already here?

My second graced moment came as I finished reading the story from Matthew.  It is a well-known story, the Feeding of the Multitudes. I was struck by my own internal movement not to pick apart the story or even pray with it too long.  The message for me seemed clear and simple: God provides. Like God provided in the desert with manna and quail and in this story of providing bread and fish for the hungry, God would provide nourishment/energy/relief from the burden I am feeling.  The relief may come in the deserted, desert place or it may come surrounded by people. If I can take time for self care and shift my attention back to God I may be surprised by how God provides sustenance for a weary soul.4 

Don Schwager quotes “The Lord fills all things with blessing from above,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

 "So that by every means the Lord might be known to be God by nature, he multiplies what is little, and he looks up to heaven as though asking for the blessing from above. Now he does this out of the divine economy, for our sake. For he himself is the one who fills all things, the true blessing from above and from the Father. But, so that we might learn that when we are in charge of the table and are preparing to break the loaves, we ought to bring them to God with hands upraised and bring down upon them the blessing from above, he became for us the beginning and pattern and way."  (excerpt from FRAGMENT 177)5

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Catholic monk and mystic Wayne Teasdale (1945–2004) who recognized the wisdom in many religious traditions and helped to cultivate respect and understanding between faiths. Teasdale had an early, long-standing relationship with a community of Franciscans in Massachusetts. He worked tirelessly until his death to promote deep conversations among the mystics of the world religions.

 Each great religion has a similar origin: the spiritual awakening of its founders to God, the divine, the absolute, the spirit, Tao, boundless awareness. We find it in the experience of the rishis in India; the Buddha in his experience of enlightenment; in Moses, the patriarchs, the prophets, and other holy souls of the biblical tradition. It is no less present in Jesus’ inner realization of his relationship with his Father, who is also our Father. And it is clear in the Prophet Mohammed’s revelation experience of Allah through the mediation of the Archangel Gabriel.6

The transformation to which we are called is facilitated by a personal experience of the nature of the Divine. The mystical experience is a uniting event for people.

References

1	(n.d.). Numbers, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 5, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/numbers/11
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 81 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 5, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 5, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 5, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 5, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(2019, August 4). Daily Meditations Archive: August 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved August 5, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/08/

Jubilee and judgment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate two forms of authority one with a plan for justice and restoration and the other where authoritarian power is imprudent and unjust. The reading from Leviticus reveals a plan that requires periodic evaluation of our actions and restitution for wrong decisions. In the Gospel from Matthew, the anger of Herod towards John the Baptist becomes an overwhelming passion leading to an unjust and violent action. In everyday encounters a discipline of STOP, Stop; Take a few breaths; Observe; and proceed is a discipline that offers an opportunity for the Spirit to counsel our decisions.

Festivals and familiarity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our mental laziness that too often assesses people, in this season of social and family gatherings, in accord with our opinions and we may miss the goodness within them if we are not open to see it.

Family festival

The reading from Leviticus is a calendar of Holy Days.

* [23:1–44] This is paralleled by another calendar from the Priestly tradition, in Nm 28–29. Non-Priestly resumes of festal and holy observances are found in Ex 23:10–17; 34:18–24 and Dt 16:1–17.1 

In Psalm 81 God gives the Israelites the fundamental commandment of fidelity.

 * [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11),2

Jesus encounters rejection at Nazareth in the Gospel from Matthew.

* [13:54–58] After the Sermon on the Mount the crowds are in admiring astonishment at Jesus’ teaching (Mt 7:28); here the astonishment is of those who take offense at him. Familiarity with his background and family leads them to regard him as pretentious. Matthew modifies his Marcan source (Mt 6:1–6). Jesus is not the carpenter but the carpenter’s son (Mt 13:55), “and among his own kin” is omitted (Mt 13:57), he did not work many mighty deeds in face of such unbelief (Mt 13:58) rather than the Marcan “…he was not able to perform any mighty deed there” (Mt 6:5), and there is no mention of his amazement at his townspeople’s lack of faith.3 

Ann Mausbach observes that in today’s Gospel, Jesus’s ordinariness confused people and they could not believe in him. His familiarity made them ignore him.

 How could he be so special when he was right here all along? How often in our lives do we look for the razzle, dazzle, the new, the exciting, the different? What Jesus is calling us to do is be like Saint Ignatius and find God in all things. God is right next to us, in our partner of 61 years, and it is through the ordinary day to day living, through the familiar, that we find His love and our footing.4

Don Schwager quotes “Few miracles done because of their unbelief,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness' (Genesis 1:11). It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power.' (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation comments on how the people of Nazareth still couldn’t bring themselves to surrender to Jesus.

 In our journey with the Lord, we too need to learn to surrender to Jesus. This is an important element in the call to faith: to trust that Jesus knows what he’s doing and to believe that he is strong enough to save you. Yes, faith has to do with knowing the doctrines of the Church. Yes, it has to6

Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the agricultural origins of the list of festivals in Leviticus. The Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant understanding of Jesus brothers and sisters is different. Friar Jude reminds us of our tendency to let the negative aspects of people take our attention and blind us to their goodness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces modern mystic Dr. Diana L. Hayes, an author and professor emerita of systematic theology at Georgetown University. She was the first African American woman to earn a Pontifical Doctorate in Theology. In her book No Crystal Stair: Womanist Spirituality, Hayes writes about the never-ending dance of giving and receiving.

This is our calling as Christian faithful: to recognize the Christ in everyone. And to reach out a hand of hope, to speak a word of love, to sing a song of happiness, to share a tear of joy or pain, to speak a word of praise, to murmur a prayer, to stand together against those forces that would divide us, isolate us, and block our flow toward home.
We must seek to become the righteous of God, recognizing that the path is neither short nor easy, but rock-strewn, obstacle-laden, sometimes even seeming to flow backwards and uphill! But as the prophet Micah proclaims:
You have been told . . . what is goodAnd what the Lord requires of you:Only to do the right and to love goodness,And to walk humbly with your God. (6:8)
This is the Christian vocation of the laity in the world. Today and every day. It is not an easy vocation for there are temptations to flow in other directions, to leave our own course and follow the so-called “main-stream,” a stream that appears large and exciting but eventually peters out into nothingness. . . .7 

The psychological phenomenon of confirmation bias may lead us to accept ideas that agree with our opinions and miss opportunities to grow in our relationships and understanding.

References

1	(n.d.). Leviticus, chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/leviticus/23
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 81 - United States Conference of Catholic .... Retrieved August 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved August 2, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/08/02/
7	(2019, July 28). Black Women Mystics Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 2, 2019, from https://cac.org/themes/black-women-mystics/

Cloud fire and fish

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our experience of encountering the Divine Presence in the world through events, people, and places.

In the cloister

The passage from the Book of Exodus describes Moses setting up the Tabernacle and God’s Presence in the cloud and fire to guide the Israelites.

* [40:2] On the first day of the first month: almost a year after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Cf. v. 17.1 

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

 * [Psalm 84] Israelites celebrated three pilgrimage feasts in Jerusalem annually. The Psalm expresses the sentiments of the pilgrims eager to enjoy the divine presence.2

In the Gospel from Matthew Jesus offers more parables to help us focus on the treasures taught by scholars of the Word.

* [13:52] Since Matthew tends to identify the disciples and the Twelve (see note on Mt 10:1), this saying about the Christian scribe cannot be taken as applicable to all who accept the message of Jesus. While the Twelve are in many ways representative of all who believe in him, they are also distinguished from them in certain respects. The church of Matthew has leaders among whom are a group designated as “scribes” (Mt 23:34). Like the scribes of Israel, they are teachers. It is the Twelve and these their later counterparts to whom this verse applies. The scribe…instructed in the kingdom of heaven knows both the teaching of Jesus (the new) and the law and prophets (the old) and provides in his own teaching both the new and the old as interpreted and fulfilled by the new. On the translation head of a household (for the same Greek word translated householder in Mt 13:27), see note on Mt 24:45–51.3 

Vivian Amu comments that we are living temples, a dwelling place for God.She urges us to clear out the clutter and make room for love, for peace, and for God.

In the kingdom of heaven, that which we consider old, and that which we consider new, shall be gathered together as the same; and what is necessary will be kept, while what is not necessary for the vitality of the soul shall be thrown away. The kingdom of heaven is here; let us be conscious of the cloud we unknowingly allow to settle down upon it, because when clouds take up space, we are unable to move forward in our life journey; it is difficult to see; it is treacherous for movement.4 

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)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 connects to a 1942 talk entitled “The Weight of Glory,” by the British author C. S. Lewis, who said, “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses . . . , for in him also Christ truly hides—the glorifier and the glorified, Glory himself.”

 So be on the lookout for the glory of God today. It won’t be as clear as that cloud that led the Israelites, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. You might see it in a fellow parishioner who is collecting food for a homeless shelter. You might see it in your neighbor who lovingly cares for her disabled husband. You might even see it in yourself when you readily forgive your spouse or when you step out in faith and offer to pray with someone.6

Deacon Keith Fournier connects the opening of the Gospel of John, Mary, the new Ark of the Covenant, and the life of Saint Alphonsus Liguori during the 18th Century in Europe.

(John 1:14)  The words rendered in English "dwelt among us" in the biblical text, are literally rendered "He pitched His tent among us." Think about it. The God of the whole universe, who dwelt in inaccessible light, whom no man had ever seen and lived, became a real man - and pitched His home among us!... This image of God pitching his tent and filling it with his glory has been richly reflected upon in the Christian Tradition. It has been seen by many holy men and women as giving us an insight into the role which Mary, the Mother of the Lord, played in God's plan of redemption. She was seen as a new tent of meeting, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit; the new Ark of the Covenant, who became the place where Jesus, the New Covenant, took up residence - and from whom - was born, given for the sake of the world.7 

The experience of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, especially in Naples, inspired his teaching that Christians needed to dismantle the sinful structures in society.

Friar Jude Winkler connects the cloud over the dwelling place for the Ark built by Moses to the Annunciation and the Ascension. We need to listen to what we want to hear and what we don’t want to hear and discern what is worthwhile. Friar Jude reminds us of the final accounting theme in Matthew’s Gospel.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us that issues of power and authority loom quite large for black women who are most often marginalized from the centers of power recognized by cultural and social institutions. However, African American women transformed from objects to Subjects through their mystical experiences have been able to establish a sense of inner authority that extends to their active lives. Rebecca Cox Jackson (1795–1871) understood her authority to be rooted in the “gifts of power” she received from God. These gifts included healing, foreknowledge, and . . . literacy. Jackson believed that God had bestowed these gifts upon her so that she could minister to the needs of others.

 God makes it clear to Jackson that . . . she is engaging in a process of recreation that meant deconstruction and reconstruction not only of an oppressive worldview but also of the self. The fact that she is being “unmade” and “made again” places her life and ministry in humble perspective. . . .8

The Presence that Moses honoured in the tent of meeting becomes visible in the people around us as we work together for justice and equality as modeled by Saint Alphonsus Liguori.

References

1	(n.d.). Exodus, chapter 40 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus/40
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 84 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/84
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/08/01/
7	(2013, February 8). Treasures Old and New: Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor .... Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://www.catholic.org/homily/yearoffaith/story.php?id=51932
8	(2019, July 28). Black Women Mystics Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://cac.org/themes/black-women-mystics/