Open Our Hearts to Understand

 

 Matthew 13:31-35

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³¹ Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, ³² which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

The Parable of the Leaven

³³ Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Prophecy and the Parables

³⁴ All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, ³⁵ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

Chapter 13 in Matthew is the "Parable Chapter". Jesus used this simple technique to illustrate his point with familiar examples so that his point would be clearly understood.  We are not familiar with fields of mustard, nor have we ever seen a mustard seed as much as we love mustard on our hot dogs. Not many of us bake bread anymore, but if we did, we'd be amazed at the power of small package of yeast to change a small lump of dough  into a large mountain that needs to be punched down but rises again even bigger.  Yes, the parables have endured for 2000 years and help us get a glimpse of what can be, or better, what IS!  The kingdom of God continues to rise and grow in our hearts from our baptism as infants to our lives as adults. We foster its growth by patience and consistent acts of kindness, a comforting, supportive word, a phone call, an e-mail. How can I be the leaven in the loaf of someone's heart today?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you teach us that small simple acts or words of kindness can grow and have significant effects. Open my heart understand this simple truth and incorporate it into my words and actions today. Amen.

 

New Treasures and Old

 

Matthew 13: 44-52

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

In his simple story-telling way, Jesus describes the power attached to discovering the kingdom of heaven, that is, the world and its people living in harmony with God and each other. We daily face and live in a world that is not in harmony with God and one another, as the nightly news reminds us. No wonder, when we discover the world as God intended it to be, we are willing to sell all to acquire a place in it. Our task is not only to find this ideal world but to make this world ideal.  Ah, "there's the rub" and the challenge.  What can I do TODAY to make that ideal world a reality? Will I make this Sunday truly THE LORD'S DAY by attending Mass or Worship at my Church?  Will I take extra time to pray with and reflect on this Gospel passage?  Will I be extra kind and patient with my family and neighbors? It's in the small things that we can make the most impact.  

Bro. Rene

Dear God, the "treasure" is all around me. Help me to see it and make every effort to acquire it and then share it. Amen.

Jesus Wants Faith

 

John 11:19-27

I Am The Resurrection and the Life

¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Jesus was very close to the two sisters Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus, and her we see Jesus leading Martha to a new level of faith, and us as well. Disappointed because Jesus had not come when Lazarus was ill and dying, maybe a bit angry too, Martha puts her trust in Jesus and accepts his promise that Lazarus will live, although  she did not anticipate exactly what Jesus  would do. That's usually where we are...half believing...Yet Jesus is in control and goes ahead with his plan. We need to learn to trust, to walk by faith. May our relection on this scene and exchange, help us to become mofre receptive to the plan of God.

Bro. Rene  

Dear God, help me to keep learning that you ways and your plans are better than mine. Amen. 

The Parable of the Seed Explained

 

Matthew 13:18-23

 What Kind of Seed Am I?

 ¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

We continue the Parable of the Good and Bad Seed with an explanation from Jesus himself. My question is "Where am I in this picture?" I'd like to say verse 23, the seed falling on good soil and yielding a bumper crop, or even just thirty fold. Where would Jesus see me? May I not grow complacent, but continue to reflect on how my life matches the challenges Jesus offers, and make needed adjustments. 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to be good soil and use the gifts you have sown in me to yield a bumper crop today and in the days ahead. Amen.   . 

Sow Good Seed

 

Matthew 13: 1-9

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

On Sunday we heard about the Sower (Matthew 13: 24-43) whose crop was compromised by the Evil One who sowed bad seed.  The farmer allowed both good and bad to grow together and separate them at harvest time. Today we read of various places where the seed fell and what happened to it. 

As we look at our world today, we see many places where the seed is not falling on good ground but there is hope since there are other places where it is taking root and yielding a hundred fold.  As we celebrate the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, let us remember that the HOME is where the seed is first sewn and cultivated. May God bless, strengthen and encourage all parents in the proper upbringing of their children in the Faith.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, may the inspiration of Saints Anne and Joachim help parents in the daunting task of raising their children in the Faith.

To Serve, Not Be Served

 

 Matthew 20:20-28

A Mother’s Request

²⁰ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

²¹ “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

²² “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

²³ Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Salome's request for her sons not only demonstrates the human ambition for power and prestige, but also the need for humility and for humble service. As Jesus laid down his life for others, so must we do all we can with whatever gifts we have to serve others. It's not easy and is  life-long."projet de vie", but one that helps us follow more closely in the footsteps of Jesus. "Allons-y", Let's go!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for setting us straight on how best to serve others by setting our SELVES aside Give us the grace to do so willingly and cheerfully. Amen..  .

Someone Greater Than Jonah

 

 Matthew 12:38-42

The Sign of Jonah

³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

Would we be stronger believers if we had more signs? Jesus strongly rejects that notion, casting it as the request of "a wicked and adulterous generation." What would he say of our generation with its indifference to and even rejection of the "signs" he has already given? It's not the sign that convinces, but the Person of Jesus. We learn about him through reading of the Gospels and in our own quiet reflection and application of what he said and did then to our own live now. May we keep our focus on this "Greater than Jonah", the only sign we need.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, let me not e distracted by looking for"signs", but help me to keep my eyes nd heart on you, the only sign that matters. Amen.

Good vs Bad Seed

 

 Matthew 13:24-43

The Parable of the Weeds

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

These parables give us a clear picture of "the way things are": the good along with the bad and the challenge to believe that despite the mixture of good and bad in our world, so obvious today, the good seed will come to fruition and the Kingdom of God will prevail. The mustard seed of our simple good deeds, words of encouragement and optimism, our faith and prayerfulness will bear fruit and feed a world starving for the values that truly satisfy our hunger. May our reflections on these verses today reinforce our desire and efforts to be the good seed that will yield a bountiful harvest.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, let me not shy away from being good seed in the fields of our world which grows ever more barren each day. As you are the Sower, let me be your good seed. Amen.

 

What Are You Looking For?

 

 John 20:1-2, 11-18

The Empty Tomb

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ² So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹² and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³ They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” ¹⁴ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

¹⁷ Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Mary of Magdala, who so loved Jesus, was the first to see him risen from the dead and commissioned to tell the Apostles that he was alive and returning to the Father.We can imagine her joy and her huge hug so much so that Jesus had to tell her to stop holding him. Yes, she found more than what she had hoped for, not the stolen corpse, but Jesus fully alive. What are we looking for? May we find Jesus alive and well and like Mary, bring this good new to others by the way we live and the way we treat one another.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, give us the love and devotion of Mary of Magdala, that we might seek Jesus and announce his presence among us by our words and deeds. Amen.

Mercy Over Sacrfice

 

Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. ² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴ He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. ⁵ Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? ⁶ I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus radically breaks with the Pharisees in his regard for the Law. He replaces strict adherence to the letter of the law to the "law of mercy." Exemptions were already in place (vs 5), so when hunger would be solved by "breaking the law", a greater "law" took precedence, the law of common sense and charity.  Take care of needs first, and then see to the legal law. How do I practice "the Law of Charity"?

Bro. Rene

Dear God, open my eyes and my heart to a greater practice of the "Law of Charity" in my daily dealings with others, particularly  those with whom I do not see eye to eye. Amen.

 

A Needed Reminder

 

 Matthew 11:28-30

Come To Jesus

 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

These short verses remind us that in the midst of our worries and daily challenges, Jesus is there for us. It is we who need to come to him for strength and relief.  He does not ask much of us but gives us more than what we need to continue to serve him. Whatever we are facing today, let us FIRST go to Jesus and let him carry us through.  We will not be disappointed.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for this consoling reminder that your gentle heart is where I will find the strength and rest I need to bear my "burdens" and be a faithful disciple. Amen. 

Lord, That I May Know You.

 

 

Matthew 11: 25-27

The Father Revealed in the Son

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

We have a long life to live before we fully know the Father and that knowledge will come only in the next life when we see him face to face. While here on earth, we have the Scriptures, the writings of the saints who have seen and heard him, and our own prayer time. It's not that difficult, but rather simple if we can convince ourselves to set aside time each day with quiet reflection in his presence, prompted by some verses from the Psalms or the New Testament. Learning to listen comes with time spent on a regular basis and reaches a point when we feel robbed if we don't do it. If you haven't ever done this, now is a good time to begin. Let us be receptive "little children" right now!

Bro, Rene

Dear God, thank you for the call to spend time with you. Help me to make this a daily priority. Amen.   

Stubborn Resistence

 

 Matthew 11: 20-24

Woe on Unrepentant Towns

²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Angry words from our kind, forgiving and loving Jesus, yet justified, for he had worked marvels among these people and they still failed to "get the message."  How blind and stubborn am I?  How often have I heard the message and ignored it? This passage is humbling and condemning  in its call to help us see our unrepentance and stubborn  adherence to "my way".  Let me begin my repentance by admitting that Jesus is talking to me! 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to cast away my blindness and pride and admit my need to repent and change my ways and attitudes. Amen.

 

Take Up Your Cross

 
Matthew 10:34-11:1

 Not The Easy Way

³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
³⁶     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

To be a disciple of Jesus is to walk a tough and demanding path, one that includes a daily cross. It does not promise popularity, but sacrifice and self-giving. Yet, it is also a simple path, for merely giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty merits praise and a due reward. The secret is to keep our mind's eye on Jesus bearing his cross, as in the image above, often alone and demanding all our strength. It's certainly not a popularity contest, but a huge effort that demands courage, strength and "stick-to-it-iveness."  .We need the help of each other, and certainly the help of Jesus, to do this, but it is possible and it is what Jesus expects and invites us to do.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, as you carried your cross and "bought" life for us, so may I take up my cross daily and "buy" life" for others and myself. Amen.

Make Me Good Soil

 

 Matthew 13: 1-21

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

¹⁴ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Another Sunday, and this one with a huge challenge: to be good soil so that God's Word might grow strong and tall in us, yielding a plentiful  harvest.  We've heard this parable many times, yet, try as we might, we find that our harvest is not yet what we'd like it to be.  Too many thorns, or too much rocky soil still interfere with a full harvest.  Thanks be to God for his patience with us, and may some of that patience rub off on us, for we tend to let frustration interfere with our efforts.With his help we will "get there".   Let's see what we can do today!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, till the soil of my heart and soul and together let us bring forth the harvest we seek. Amen.

More Than Many Sparrows

Matthew 10: 24-33 

Don't Be Afraid

²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Our call is to be fearless witnesses and Jesus assures us that even as the sparrows are in good hands, so are we. Sometimes when things are not going well, we forget that God is still with us; we need to be reminded of his loving, constant care. Even the very hairs of our head are counted.  Let us go about the day with this abiding sense of God's presence and loving care and see if it makes a difference in our prayer and in our relations with others. 

Bro. Rene

Dear God help me to remember that you are always there for me and that certainly I'm worth more than a sparrow!

A Challenging Mission

 

 Matthew 10:16-23

Be Fearless

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The task of spreading the Gospel is not an easy one, nor "for sissies". From the beginning, Jesus warned us, and history to this day has verified his clear predictions. Should we hesitate or avoid our mission because of the resistance or persecution that it will or might entail?  Where would we be if the Apostles or other Gospel preachers let fear dictate their actions? May we instead allow the Spirit to remove our fears and hesitations and let him speak through us, even in our smallest acts of kindness, as did St Kateri Tekakwitha, whom we honor today.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, you challenge is to be bold and fearless in our mission of living and spreading the Gospel. Renew our strength and conviction to accept this challenge. Amen.   

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Footnote

No Holding Back

 

 Matthew 10:7-15

 Freely Give

⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Our mission to proclaim the Kingdom is clear: give all we have received, hold nothing back, give everyone a chance to hear the Good News, and let people go only if they will not welcome us. This latter is not a healthy option, but the gift of free will gives it legitimacy.  It seems these days that many are not interested in the Kingdom or the Word of God, and those who have chosen to work for the spread of the Kingdom have as challenging an audience as did the Apostles and missionaries throughout the ages. More reason for us to stick to our guns, our mission and proclaim "in season and out of season." As Jesus commissioned his Apostles, so he commissions us. Let us accept our role with confidence, conviction and consistency.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you have  given us a huge task. Give us also the grace to carry it out. Amen.

Our Mission

 

 

 Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Today we witness a dramatic turning point in the mission of Jesus as he now sends the Twelve out to preach and heal. They have watched closely and their daily  contact with Jesus has given them confidence. They are ready. The instructions are clear and simple, "Go to the lost sheep of Israel and proclaim 'The kingdom of God has come near.'" As it turn out, the "lost sheep" did not accept the message, and later the Apostles turned to non-Jews with much more success. 

Our mission remains the same. There are many "lost sheep"; our churches are empty and being turned into condos; the faith is not being passed on to the young. There's a lot of preaching and teaching to be done. What do I hear Jesus calling Me to do?

Bro, Rene

Dear Jesus, you call us all to be your apostles, your teachers and preachers. Help me to accept and accomplish my mission as best I can. Amen.  

Pray For More Workers

 

 Matthew 9: 32-38

³² While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. ³³ And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

The Workers Are Few

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Even in Jesus's day, the need for workers was insufficient, and it seems more so today as we see more and more combined parishes, or actual parish closings. It's frightening to see the comparisons of believers sixty or seventy years ago compared to today. Yet, scoffers and disbelievers have always been with us. The situation does call for those who "remain" to be as sincere and fervent as they can be. May we be among these who have not given up, but who strive to be sincere and loyal disciples, and by our example, bring others back to the fold.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you  for helping me to remain faithful; let my efforts and example bring others back to the practice of the Faith. Amen.

Have Confidence In Jesus

 Note: I'm writing from St. Alfonso Retreat Center in Long Branch, NJ where I could not get into the internet yesterday, so today there will be two slices of Daily Bread, this being the 4, 600th slice!

 

 Matthew 9:18-26

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.

With these two spectacular miracles, Jesus shows us that nothing is beyond his power. Yet we fret when our requests seem to be denied. May we be encouraged to put our trust and confidence in him. He hears our prayers and with his huge heart will answer them in due time.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, help me to believe and pray with the trust displayed in this Gospel passage. Amen.

Come To Me

 

Matthew 11: 25-30 

The Father Revealed in the Son

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The warm invitation in verses 28-20 never grows old and serves as a reminder that Jesus knows our burdens and offers himself as the solace and strength to bear them. We need to let go and surrender ourselves into his arms as we would with our best friend, and find that even if the burdens remain, we are better able to carry them with his help. Yes, we need the humility and freedom of a child to "let go" of our problems and solutions and turn everything over to Jesus. His specialty is taking care of us.

Bro.  Rene

Dear God, thank you for your loving care. Grace me with confidence and humility to allow you to take up my burdens and find rest in you. Amen.

New Wine Into New Wineskins

 

  Matthew 9: 14-17

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

¹⁴ Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

We are more accustomed to wine in bottles rather than in wineskins,  but the notion of s completely fresh approach is still valid.  The "tried and true" tenet still holds, but does not prevent us from taking a completely fresh approach to prayer and spirituality. What can I do to deepen my prayer life, or how can I extend my service to others beyond what I'm doing now?

Bro. Rene

Dear God, show me the way to put new wine into my prayer and dealings with others. Amen. 

Follow Me

 

Matthew 9: 9-13

The Calling of Matthew

⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Whatever had been going on in the life of Matthew, two compelling words, "Follow me", changed totally his life  What do those words say to me?   Am I not following Jesus already? Is there more I can do?  Yes, there is' there is never enough we can do for him who gave his ALL. This day is just beginning, as I write or as you read. How can we make it different from all the others that have gone before it? Is there something we need to change, or leave behind, at Matthew did?

Bro, Rene

Dear Jesus, you call us each day to follow you. Please give me the grace and courage to follow you as did Matthew and so many others. Amen.

Jesus Is Our Healer

 

Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ² Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

⁴ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

In this dramatic event, Jesus shows us his power to heal bodies and forgive sins. We all need both: physical and spiritual healing; do we believe Jesus can do this for us, or do we scoff and dismiss, as did the teachers?  It takes humility, faith and confidence in Jesus; virtues that we lack or in which we are weak. May we pray this day for an increase in them and be open to receive the healing Jesus sees as best for us.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you know best what I need; heal my weakness of humility, faith and confidence in you. Amen.

Even Demons Obey

 Matthew 8:28-34

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

²⁸ And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” ³⁰ Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. ³¹ And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” ³² And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. ³³ The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

What possess us today? Is it our own pride, our  laziness, our unwillingness to live our faith in a world that daily seems to move further and further away from God and the teachings of Jesus?  We shudder at the thought of these possessed men, but do not see ourselves as possessed by our own egos.  "I'll Do It My Way:"; an intriguing song that sums up our attitude, but also serenades  our destiny over the cliff.  May we wake up and follow Jesus; even the evil spirits obey him!

Bro  Rene

Dear God, awaken in me a new desire to "get back on track" with my practice of the faith lest I find myself plunging off a cliff. Amen.

Where Is Our Faith

 

 

 Matthew 8:23-27

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

There's no doubt that life presents its challenges. When we get out of bed each morning, we have no idea what awaits us. Sometimes its a happy surprise, other times, something it's sad or something that tests our stamina and even our faith. Yes, we sail in a sea of storms, but we cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear. Jesus is always there to calm to winds and seas, and help us get back on course or land safely. Our faith falters from time to time, but praying with and over this frightening scene, we can find peace again.

We see our nation in turmoil as we celebrate "The Fourth". Let us call upon Jesus  to calm the storms that rage in our land and let us ask him to calm to storms that disturb our family and personal peace. He's done it before; he can do it again...and he will!

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for this reminder that no storm is too great for you to calm. Teach me this lesson over and over again. Amen.

 

Blessed Are The Believers Who Have Not Seen

 

 John 20: 24-29

Jesus Appears to Thomas

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

"Doubting Thomas" opens the door for us who have not see the Risen Lord, but who have believed. We might think that Thomas had the greater gift of actually seeing and touching the wounds of Jesus, yet Jesus credits those whose faith is so strong that they do not need to see or touch as the most blessed.  Where do I stand? Do I need to see and touch everything before I believe, or can I believe with a faith that does not require seeing, or having all the answers?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for this lesson in faith. Increase my faith so that I may believe without seeing or having all the answers. Amen.