Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 30, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 19:15-29Ps 26:2-3, 9-12Matt 8:23-27http://www.usccb.org/nab/063009.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_30.mp3
Is Jesus sleeping on your boat?
"But he was asleep." This sentence from today's Gospel reading could describe what we think when our prayers go unanswered and our problems escalate. Is Jesus asleep in the midst of our needs? What do we have to do to wake him up?
Maybe we pray extra rosaries — a whole novena of rosaries, and when the nine days are finished and nothing's happened yet, we start again and the word "novena" no longer fits. Or maybe we make a bargain with God: "If you rescue me from this soon, I will go to church every day! Hellooooo? Did that wake you up?"
The reply that comes from Jesus is: "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?"
Like the disciples in the swamped boat, we forget that as long as Jesus is on board with us we're in no danger of being destroyed.
Storms are normal. Jesus never taught the disciples how to build a bio-dome that keeps the bad weather out and surrounds us with perfect conditions. So why are we surprised when storms occur? Why do we assume that life as a Christian should be steady, smooth, and easy? It's because we instinctively know that we belong to another world: Our true home is heaven. God gave us a bit of heaven within our souls when he created us, and this is why we're willing to give up our sins. We'll do anything to get home to where the storms do not exist.
And because God also gave us the dust and dirt of the earth when he created us, we instinctively feel the deterioration of our temporary bodies. We sense the nearness of destruction. Thus, we get terrified when stormy problems hit us. We fear that they'll swamp us beyond our ability to stay afloat. So Jesus came to take care of us. He destroyed destruction when he rose from the grave. Believing in this, we have no reason to fear that our problems will become disastrous. And yet we do fear, and so we look at Jesus and think, "But he's asleep. Otherwise everything would be all right by now."
However, what's really asleep is our faith. While we snooze, Jesus stands on our boats saying the same thing that the angels told Lot in today's first reading. "Be on your way, or you will be swept away! Don't look back or stop. Don't look at what could have or should have been, for this will stop you from moving forward on your journey of faith growth. Look instead at my mercy."
As scripture says in today's responsorial Psalm, when we walk in integrity, our feet stand on level ground. By walking forward in God's mercy, we follow where he leads us and, like Lot, we walk away from destruction. Even if it's a long, storm-filled journey, we are safe.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Shepherds for Christ
Good News ReflectionMonday of the 13th Week in Ordinary TimeSolemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles June 29, 2009
Today's Saints: Peter & PaulPray for faith growthhttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/peterpaul.htm
Today's Readings:Acts 12:1-11Ps 34:2-92 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18Matt 16:13-19http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062909.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_29.mp3
Shepherds for Christ
Today's Gospel reading describes the holy quality of "shepherding" that's required for Christian leadership — in the priesthood, lay ministers, parents, i.e., any type of Christian leadership.
Here, St. Peter is being gifted with the insight to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Then he's called and commissioned to shepherd others into the same realization.
In Christianity, everyone is called to evangelize. It's our primary mission as we follow Jesus and continue the work he began. The responsibility is especially great when one is also called to any role of leadership. Not only are we examples to those we lead, but when we are in charge of meetings, or directing clubs or choirs or religious education classes, or having positions of authority in parish or diocesan ministries, we have been given vehicles for the mission.
All leaders — clergy and laity, religious and secular — are called to lead others to Christ, and we do this by imitating his style of shepherding, teaching the truth the way he taught it while doing the tasks of our ministries and meetings.
Parents have been commissioned by Christ to shepherd their families. Teachers have been commissioned to shepherd their students. Employers have been commissioned to shepherd those who work under them. Secretaries have been commissioned to shepherd the people they deal with on the phone.
In today's second reading, we're reminded that St. Paul suffered in his shepherd's ministry, like Jesus did and like we do if we're involved enough to really make a difference for the kingdom of God. The good news is that the strongholds of evil ("the gates of the netherworld") cannot prevail against our Christ-inspired efforts to seek the lost and bring them to God. Jesus destroyed the locks on these gates when he conquered sin and death.
The "gates" are the escape route from Satan's prison. Those who are enslaved to sinful lifestyles and the devil's deceptions are waiting to be shepherded out of darkness into the safe pastures of unconditional love, forgiveness, and the saving power of God. We cannot drag them out, but we can throw open the gates and show them the way out and pray that they will recognize the escape opportunity.
A Christian leader who does not go into Satan's territory to rescue lost souls nor protects his flock from wandering into danger is no follower of Christ, because this was Christ's entire mission.
You are Christ's representative to the flock he has given you, using the gifts and talents that the Father has given you, your baptismal in-filling of his Holy Spirit, your apostolic calling from Christ, and yes, even your sufferings. We are all apostles sent into the world to spread the Good News. We are all shepherds being led by Jesus as we lead others to him.
For a printer-ready copy of this message to share with others, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/Peter-Paul.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Today's Saints: Peter & PaulPray for faith growthhttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/peterpaul.htm
Today's Readings:Acts 12:1-11Ps 34:2-92 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18Matt 16:13-19http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062909.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_29.mp3
Shepherds for Christ
Today's Gospel reading describes the holy quality of "shepherding" that's required for Christian leadership — in the priesthood, lay ministers, parents, i.e., any type of Christian leadership.
Here, St. Peter is being gifted with the insight to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Then he's called and commissioned to shepherd others into the same realization.
In Christianity, everyone is called to evangelize. It's our primary mission as we follow Jesus and continue the work he began. The responsibility is especially great when one is also called to any role of leadership. Not only are we examples to those we lead, but when we are in charge of meetings, or directing clubs or choirs or religious education classes, or having positions of authority in parish or diocesan ministries, we have been given vehicles for the mission.
All leaders — clergy and laity, religious and secular — are called to lead others to Christ, and we do this by imitating his style of shepherding, teaching the truth the way he taught it while doing the tasks of our ministries and meetings.
Parents have been commissioned by Christ to shepherd their families. Teachers have been commissioned to shepherd their students. Employers have been commissioned to shepherd those who work under them. Secretaries have been commissioned to shepherd the people they deal with on the phone.
In today's second reading, we're reminded that St. Paul suffered in his shepherd's ministry, like Jesus did and like we do if we're involved enough to really make a difference for the kingdom of God. The good news is that the strongholds of evil ("the gates of the netherworld") cannot prevail against our Christ-inspired efforts to seek the lost and bring them to God. Jesus destroyed the locks on these gates when he conquered sin and death.
The "gates" are the escape route from Satan's prison. Those who are enslaved to sinful lifestyles and the devil's deceptions are waiting to be shepherded out of darkness into the safe pastures of unconditional love, forgiveness, and the saving power of God. We cannot drag them out, but we can throw open the gates and show them the way out and pray that they will recognize the escape opportunity.
A Christian leader who does not go into Satan's territory to rescue lost souls nor protects his flock from wandering into danger is no follower of Christ, because this was Christ's entire mission.
You are Christ's representative to the flock he has given you, using the gifts and talents that the Father has given you, your baptismal in-filling of his Holy Spirit, your apostolic calling from Christ, and yes, even your sufferings. We are all apostles sent into the world to spread the Good News. We are all shepherds being led by Jesus as we lead others to him.
For a printer-ready copy of this message to share with others, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/Peter-Paul.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: July 5, 200914th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: July 5, 200914th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/July/14thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Ezek 2:2-5Ps 123:1-42 Cor 12:7-10Mark 6:1-6http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_07_05.mp3
In next Sunday's Gospel reading, we see the painful truth of what happens when we share our faith with those who knew us before we became so strong in our faith.
Like Jesus, we are rejected, misunderstood, and disbelieved by people who don't understand why we changed. They feel threatened by our example; they don't want to consider their own need to change. We sound like fanatics to them, and they use this as an excuse to remain uninfluenced by our testimony.
Jesus changed after he quit living an ordinary life in an ordinary town with an ordinary job to begin a ministry that would instigate persecution, and he invited everyone else to follow his example. How crazy does that sound?
Making matters worse, he was now spending all of his time trying to change the status quo of everyone's normal life and their normal ways of relating to others and their normal attitudes about religion — even affecting the status quo of those who did not want to follow him and become like him.
People don't like to be challenged, especially when it means giving up what's familiar and comfortable. However, this is not a reason for us to keep silent. We have been called by Christ to share the good news about him. We must make it known that conversion is important, or else we are sinning against him and against those who need to learn more about him.
We fulfill this mission by sharing our personal conversion stories and our spiritual insights, as long as we do this as an invitation rather than by demanding that others change.
If you're being rejected because of this, remember that Jesus understands how you feel. Let the sting of their rejection be replaced by an awareness that God is very pleased with you.
Questions for Personal Reflection:In what ways has Jesus changed your life? Who are the people that misunderstand these changes? Now list those who do understand you: What can you do to enjoy their company more often?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:When have you been rejected because of your spiritual growth? What have you learned about how to lovingly respond to their objections? What are your frustrations in doing this? Have you ever walked away like Jesus did when he left his hometown?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/July/14thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Ezek 2:2-5Ps 123:1-42 Cor 12:7-10Mark 6:1-6http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_07_05.mp3
In next Sunday's Gospel reading, we see the painful truth of what happens when we share our faith with those who knew us before we became so strong in our faith.
Like Jesus, we are rejected, misunderstood, and disbelieved by people who don't understand why we changed. They feel threatened by our example; they don't want to consider their own need to change. We sound like fanatics to them, and they use this as an excuse to remain uninfluenced by our testimony.
Jesus changed after he quit living an ordinary life in an ordinary town with an ordinary job to begin a ministry that would instigate persecution, and he invited everyone else to follow his example. How crazy does that sound?
Making matters worse, he was now spending all of his time trying to change the status quo of everyone's normal life and their normal ways of relating to others and their normal attitudes about religion — even affecting the status quo of those who did not want to follow him and become like him.
People don't like to be challenged, especially when it means giving up what's familiar and comfortable. However, this is not a reason for us to keep silent. We have been called by Christ to share the good news about him. We must make it known that conversion is important, or else we are sinning against him and against those who need to learn more about him.
We fulfill this mission by sharing our personal conversion stories and our spiritual insights, as long as we do this as an invitation rather than by demanding that others change.
If you're being rejected because of this, remember that Jesus understands how you feel. Let the sting of their rejection be replaced by an awareness that God is very pleased with you.
Questions for Personal Reflection:In what ways has Jesus changed your life? Who are the people that misunderstand these changes? Now list those who do understand you: What can you do to enjoy their company more often?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:When have you been rejected because of your spiritual growth? What have you learned about how to lovingly respond to their objections? What are your frustrations in doing this? Have you ever walked away like Jesus did when he left his hometown?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Friday, June 26, 2009
When Love Hurts: Healing the Lepers of Today
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 26, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 17:1, 9-10, 15-22Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Matt 8:1-4http://www.usccb.org/nab/062609.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_26.mp3
When Love Hurts: Healing the Lepers of Today
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus shows his compassion for a leper by healing him with a touch of his hand. Who are the lepers of today? In biblical times, lepers were outcasts, forced to spend the rest of their years in leper colonies because healthy people might catch the disease. Touch was forbidden.
How important touch is! Abandoned babies in institutions die from lack of touch. Marriages wither from lack of hugging. Children grow up with poor self esteem from lack of physical nurturing. Jesus knew how important touch is. He not only healed the leper's skin, he also healed his spirit by giving him what he needed most -- human touch.
Who are the lepers in your life, i.e., the people who need your healing touch but who repulse you? I propose that they are the addicts you know. It can be any kind of addiction, including the most subtle. The primary symptom is that they are difficult to love because they never try hard enough to change. They repeatedly give us more grief than anyone else.
What do addicts/lepers need most? The healing touch of love, which is the gift of mercy for those who don't deserve it. Jesus loves them unconditionally, and he wants us to do the same. The reason that addicts are addicts is because they never received enough love as children and they still don't know what love really is. They cannot give to us what they do not have.
However, Jesus is no longer here with a physical hand unless he touches the lepers through us. He needs us to reach out for him. They need us to be his healing hand, but this is a very difficult ministry. We prefer to limit our love to those who love us back. And yet, what they need most is our unconditional love -- or more accurately, Jesus' love coming to them through us.
To fulfill this mission, we have to be willing to forgive them over and over and over again. They don't know how to receive our love. They don't even know how to recognize it. So we have to persist and forgive and persist and forgive until finally -- finally! -- our love breaks through and the cleansing begins. And when they slip back into their old leprosy, we forgive them again. Our persistence in love, when combined with persistence in pointing them to other helping hands of Jesus, such as doctors and therapists, will eventually bring them all the way to the full cleansing that Jesus wants to give (although sometimes it doesn't happen until the moment of their death).
Remember, you do an important ministry with Jesus when you serve as his healing hand. And it's one of the most difficult ministries on earth. If we really want to be good Christians, we have to say yes to this calling. But we can succeed only if we continually turn to Jesus for strength, healing, and guidance.
* NOTE: If you are in an abusive relationship, your love will not make a difference unless the pattern of abuse is broken. Create separation until the abuser becomes safe to live through therapy and anger management training. And go to a counselor yourself to learn how to avoid enabling the disease.
A longer reflection on this is published as a Good News WordByte at http://wordbytes.org/healing/lepers.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Gen 17:1, 9-10, 15-22Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Matt 8:1-4http://www.usccb.org/nab/062609.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_26.mp3
When Love Hurts: Healing the Lepers of Today
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus shows his compassion for a leper by healing him with a touch of his hand. Who are the lepers of today? In biblical times, lepers were outcasts, forced to spend the rest of their years in leper colonies because healthy people might catch the disease. Touch was forbidden.
How important touch is! Abandoned babies in institutions die from lack of touch. Marriages wither from lack of hugging. Children grow up with poor self esteem from lack of physical nurturing. Jesus knew how important touch is. He not only healed the leper's skin, he also healed his spirit by giving him what he needed most -- human touch.
Who are the lepers in your life, i.e., the people who need your healing touch but who repulse you? I propose that they are the addicts you know. It can be any kind of addiction, including the most subtle. The primary symptom is that they are difficult to love because they never try hard enough to change. They repeatedly give us more grief than anyone else.
What do addicts/lepers need most? The healing touch of love, which is the gift of mercy for those who don't deserve it. Jesus loves them unconditionally, and he wants us to do the same. The reason that addicts are addicts is because they never received enough love as children and they still don't know what love really is. They cannot give to us what they do not have.
However, Jesus is no longer here with a physical hand unless he touches the lepers through us. He needs us to reach out for him. They need us to be his healing hand, but this is a very difficult ministry. We prefer to limit our love to those who love us back. And yet, what they need most is our unconditional love -- or more accurately, Jesus' love coming to them through us.
To fulfill this mission, we have to be willing to forgive them over and over and over again. They don't know how to receive our love. They don't even know how to recognize it. So we have to persist and forgive and persist and forgive until finally -- finally! -- our love breaks through and the cleansing begins. And when they slip back into their old leprosy, we forgive them again. Our persistence in love, when combined with persistence in pointing them to other helping hands of Jesus, such as doctors and therapists, will eventually bring them all the way to the full cleansing that Jesus wants to give (although sometimes it doesn't happen until the moment of their death).
Remember, you do an important ministry with Jesus when you serve as his healing hand. And it's one of the most difficult ministries on earth. If we really want to be good Christians, we have to say yes to this calling. But we can succeed only if we continually turn to Jesus for strength, healing, and guidance.
* NOTE: If you are in an abusive relationship, your love will not make a difference unless the pattern of abuse is broken. Create separation until the abuser becomes safe to live through therapy and anger management training. And go to a counselor yourself to learn how to avoid enabling the disease.
A longer reflection on this is published as a Good News WordByte at http://wordbytes.org/healing/lepers.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Standing on solid rock
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 25, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 16:1-12, 15-16Ps 106:1b-5Matt 7:21-29http://www.usccb.org/nab/062509.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_25.mp3
Standing on solid rock
What storm is going on right now in your life? Are you standing firm? Or are you teetering on the verge of collapsing because your energy is drained, your faith is wavering, and fear is warning you of potential disaster?
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus says that if we hear his words — his truths, his commands, his way of doing things — but fail to put them into practice, the storms of life will knock us over. He never said that he would calm all of our storms. Suffering is part of the Christian life as we follow Jesus to and through the cross (after which always comes resurrection and ascension into greater glories).
In order to experience faith, peace, hope, joy and safety during the storms, we have to choose to stand on the solid rock of truth instead of the shifting sands of moral relativism. We won't find safety if we pull away from God by handling life OUR way. Whenever we fail to put into practice what Jesus taught, we put ourselves (and others) in danger.
We might think we've got a good reason to disregard a Church teaching, or we might rationalize that a sin is not a sin, but regardless of how stable the ground beneath us feels, we're choosing to rely on sand that gets leeched away by storms. No rationalization, no logic, no denial system can turn a beach into a boulder.
When a friend asks how you're doing, have you used the old cliché: "I'm hanging in there!" You probably say it with a scowl on your face. Well, what are you hanging onto? Why do you even need to hang onto anything? The reason why we feel insecure and afraid in the midst of trials is because "hanging in there" means that our feet are dangling in mid-air. Jesus told us to STAND firmly on the solid rock of truth.
Christians who build their faith on sand are those who claim that since God always loves us and forgives us when we sin, they can safely do whatever feels right. But sand-dwellers lose touch with his love rather quickly when times get tough. "Where is he now?" they wonder as they sink into the quicksand of despair and loneliness.
We learn to trust God's love in the storm only after we've first learned to trust him in the how-to's (the commandments for holiness) of everyday life. When you notice that your feet are sinking, or when you're falling into a pit that an earthquake has opened, or if you're losing your grip on the rainbow from which you've been hanging, identify which teachings of Christ you've been ignoring and then run to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Yes God loves us even while we're still sinning, but our humble repentance and God's gift of grace, which we receive in this sacrament, plant our feet firmly back on the solid rock of truth.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Today's Readings:Gen 16:1-12, 15-16Ps 106:1b-5Matt 7:21-29http://www.usccb.org/nab/062509.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_25.mp3
Standing on solid rock
What storm is going on right now in your life? Are you standing firm? Or are you teetering on the verge of collapsing because your energy is drained, your faith is wavering, and fear is warning you of potential disaster?
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus says that if we hear his words — his truths, his commands, his way of doing things — but fail to put them into practice, the storms of life will knock us over. He never said that he would calm all of our storms. Suffering is part of the Christian life as we follow Jesus to and through the cross (after which always comes resurrection and ascension into greater glories).
In order to experience faith, peace, hope, joy and safety during the storms, we have to choose to stand on the solid rock of truth instead of the shifting sands of moral relativism. We won't find safety if we pull away from God by handling life OUR way. Whenever we fail to put into practice what Jesus taught, we put ourselves (and others) in danger.
We might think we've got a good reason to disregard a Church teaching, or we might rationalize that a sin is not a sin, but regardless of how stable the ground beneath us feels, we're choosing to rely on sand that gets leeched away by storms. No rationalization, no logic, no denial system can turn a beach into a boulder.
When a friend asks how you're doing, have you used the old cliché: "I'm hanging in there!" You probably say it with a scowl on your face. Well, what are you hanging onto? Why do you even need to hang onto anything? The reason why we feel insecure and afraid in the midst of trials is because "hanging in there" means that our feet are dangling in mid-air. Jesus told us to STAND firmly on the solid rock of truth.
Christians who build their faith on sand are those who claim that since God always loves us and forgives us when we sin, they can safely do whatever feels right. But sand-dwellers lose touch with his love rather quickly when times get tough. "Where is he now?" they wonder as they sink into the quicksand of despair and loneliness.
We learn to trust God's love in the storm only after we've first learned to trust him in the how-to's (the commandments for holiness) of everyday life. When you notice that your feet are sinking, or when you're falling into a pit that an earthquake has opened, or if you're losing your grip on the rainbow from which you've been hanging, identify which teachings of Christ you've been ignoring and then run to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Yes God loves us even while we're still sinning, but our humble repentance and God's gift of grace, which we receive in this sacrament, plant our feet firmly back on the solid rock of truth.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
You, too, were wonderfully made!
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeSolemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24, 2009
Today's Prayer:For overcoming doubts about God http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/JohnBaptist.htm
Today's Readings:Isaiah 49:1-6Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15Acts 13:22-26Luke 1:57-66, 80http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062409a.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_24.mp3
For a pro-life leaflet and parish hand-out on these readings, please see http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/JohnBaptizer.htm.
You, too, were wonderfully made!
Do you realize how closely alike you and John the Baptist are? Today's first reading shows us that God had a special purpose for John the Baptist since before he was born. The Lord did the same for you! Since the moment of your conception, even before you looked human and had a beating heart and a brain that could think, God created you with a special purpose in mind.
God has given you a sharp-edged sword, i.e., the ability to speak the truth. He gave you this gift during your baptism when you received the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is concealing you in the shadow of his arm. No matter how hard your life has been, and no matter how many times you strayed from the Lord, you still belong to him. He has kept you from being snatched by the Evil One.
Even though you have sometimes toiled in vain and your efforts to do God's work have seemingly been for nothing, as if you uselessly spent your strength, your reward is with the Lord. He will give you recompense.
No matter how ugly you think you are, no matter if you are too short or too tall or diseased or malformed by a birth defect, you were made glorious in the sight of the Lord, your Creator. The verses of today's responsorial Psalm confirm this: You are wonderfully made! Since the moment of your conception, your life has been precious and important.
Whatever you can imagine doing for the Lord is "too little" compared to what he knows you can do. He has bigger plans for you, a more important use for your gifts and talents and experiences and training than what you've done so far. He will make his light shine ever brighter through you!
As it says of John in the Gospel reading, you, too, are God's child, growing and becoming strong in spirit. You have experienced the desert of hardships and training, you have suffered and lacked and thirsted and hungered. And all of this is valuable and useful when you follow Jesus into greater service for his kingdom.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Today's Prayer:For overcoming doubts about God http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/JohnBaptist.htm
Today's Readings:Isaiah 49:1-6Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15Acts 13:22-26Luke 1:57-66, 80http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062409a.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_24.mp3
For a pro-life leaflet and parish hand-out on these readings, please see http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/JohnBaptizer.htm.
You, too, were wonderfully made!
Do you realize how closely alike you and John the Baptist are? Today's first reading shows us that God had a special purpose for John the Baptist since before he was born. The Lord did the same for you! Since the moment of your conception, even before you looked human and had a beating heart and a brain that could think, God created you with a special purpose in mind.
God has given you a sharp-edged sword, i.e., the ability to speak the truth. He gave you this gift during your baptism when you received the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is concealing you in the shadow of his arm. No matter how hard your life has been, and no matter how many times you strayed from the Lord, you still belong to him. He has kept you from being snatched by the Evil One.
Even though you have sometimes toiled in vain and your efforts to do God's work have seemingly been for nothing, as if you uselessly spent your strength, your reward is with the Lord. He will give you recompense.
No matter how ugly you think you are, no matter if you are too short or too tall or diseased or malformed by a birth defect, you were made glorious in the sight of the Lord, your Creator. The verses of today's responsorial Psalm confirm this: You are wonderfully made! Since the moment of your conception, your life has been precious and important.
Whatever you can imagine doing for the Lord is "too little" compared to what he knows you can do. He has bigger plans for you, a more important use for your gifts and talents and experiences and training than what you've done so far. He will make his light shine ever brighter through you!
As it says of John in the Gospel reading, you, too, are God's child, growing and becoming strong in spirit. You have experienced the desert of hardships and training, you have suffered and lacked and thirsted and hungered. And all of this is valuable and useful when you follow Jesus into greater service for his kingdom.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Monday, June 22, 2009
The lonely road to the narrow gate
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 23, 2009
Today's Saint: Etheldredahttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Etheldreda.htm
Today's Readings:Gen 13:2, 5-18Ps 15:1-5Matt 7:6, 12-14http://www.usccb.org/nab/062309.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_23.mp3
The lonely road to the narrow gate
Have you ever felt lonely because of your Christian faith? Do you have enough companions on the road of holiness? When Jesus said (as we see in today's Gospel reading) that the road to heaven is narrow, he had a dozen guys who lived in close community with him, several women friends (often including his mother), and a large contingent of followers who learned enough from him to go out and preach and heal and cast out demons.
But the road to Calvary was going to be mighty lonely.
Holiness is a rough road to travel, not only because we keep tripping over our own tendencies to sin, but also because we meet co-journeyers who choose not to stay the course. We also run into the dogs and swine that Jesus mentioned — people who don't want to accept the truth about life in Christ nor put full effort into becoming more saintly. They join us on this road but they either attack the faith or they attack us and leave us sitting on the curb weary and wounded.
And while we wait for someone to come by and tend to our wounds, we notice that too few stop to help, too few understand our needs, and too few are healed enough of their own wounds to give us what we need. Did God intend for us to feel so alone? No, because we are not alone!
When Jesus needed more from his friends, who were too few or too sleepy, he went to the Father. We will always feel somewhat lonely here on earth, because the Father's embrace is not a physical hug, but we never need to feel alone. A habit of deep prayer puts us in touch with the reality that God is with us every step of the way. Jesus is right beside us, holding our hand, kissing our wounds, crying with our hurts, laughing at our jokes, dancing in our joys.
Human companionship is equally important. Jesus spent personal time with those who became especially close to him. Even while he suffered on the cross, he experienced the undying love and loyalty of two: his mother and John. As you hang on your own cross, who is at the foot of it, weeping? If you can't see someone there, ask Jesus to open your eyes.
When Jesus promised that he'd never abandon us, he intended to fulfill this through his earthly presence, the Body of Christ on earth, which is our faith community. But we want our Johns to be Jesuses. We want our companions on the road to be already perfectly holy. And so we look right past them and miss what God is offering to us through them.
Recall that Jesus often went to dinner parties. Fun fellowship is an important way to get to know others who are on the road to heaven. We won't find our co-journeyers by sitting alone in our prayer rooms. Time alone with God is necessary, but we'd better be using that time to become better at finding and mingling with the companions he's providing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Etheldredahttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Etheldreda.htm
Today's Readings:Gen 13:2, 5-18Ps 15:1-5Matt 7:6, 12-14http://www.usccb.org/nab/062309.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_23.mp3
The lonely road to the narrow gate
Have you ever felt lonely because of your Christian faith? Do you have enough companions on the road of holiness? When Jesus said (as we see in today's Gospel reading) that the road to heaven is narrow, he had a dozen guys who lived in close community with him, several women friends (often including his mother), and a large contingent of followers who learned enough from him to go out and preach and heal and cast out demons.
But the road to Calvary was going to be mighty lonely.
Holiness is a rough road to travel, not only because we keep tripping over our own tendencies to sin, but also because we meet co-journeyers who choose not to stay the course. We also run into the dogs and swine that Jesus mentioned — people who don't want to accept the truth about life in Christ nor put full effort into becoming more saintly. They join us on this road but they either attack the faith or they attack us and leave us sitting on the curb weary and wounded.
And while we wait for someone to come by and tend to our wounds, we notice that too few stop to help, too few understand our needs, and too few are healed enough of their own wounds to give us what we need. Did God intend for us to feel so alone? No, because we are not alone!
When Jesus needed more from his friends, who were too few or too sleepy, he went to the Father. We will always feel somewhat lonely here on earth, because the Father's embrace is not a physical hug, but we never need to feel alone. A habit of deep prayer puts us in touch with the reality that God is with us every step of the way. Jesus is right beside us, holding our hand, kissing our wounds, crying with our hurts, laughing at our jokes, dancing in our joys.
Human companionship is equally important. Jesus spent personal time with those who became especially close to him. Even while he suffered on the cross, he experienced the undying love and loyalty of two: his mother and John. As you hang on your own cross, who is at the foot of it, weeping? If you can't see someone there, ask Jesus to open your eyes.
When Jesus promised that he'd never abandon us, he intended to fulfill this through his earthly presence, the Body of Christ on earth, which is our faith community. But we want our Johns to be Jesuses. We want our companions on the road to be already perfectly holy. And so we look right past them and miss what God is offering to us through them.
Recall that Jesus often went to dinner parties. Fun fellowship is an important way to get to know others who are on the road to heaven. We won't find our co-journeyers by sitting alone in our prayer rooms. Time alone with God is necessary, but we'd better be using that time to become better at finding and mingling with the companions he's providing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Planks and specks in our spiritual vision
Good News ReflectionMonday of the 12th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 22, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 12:1-9Ps 33:12-13, 18-20, 22Matt 7:1-5http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062209.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_22.mp3
Planks and specks in our spiritual vision
I used to look at today's Gospel reading and think, "Well, so much for helping others get the specks out of their spiritual vision, because as soon as I want to do that, I grow a huge plank in my own!"
However, that's not what Jesus meant. He never said we shouldn't help others clean up their lives. Take a closer look at the sentences that preface his eye-story. We are not to judge anyone. We can and should judge people's ACTIONS, and when we see sin happen, we should try to help them understand why it's wrong and what they can do about it. We care so much for the person that we don't want to watch them bump through life with blurred vision, hurting themselves and others.
Our vision gets planked when we judge their MOTIVES.
The plank that blinds us is the idea that we can actually see into their hearts. Sure we have clues, but it's only circumstantial evidence. We're the bigger sinner when we take the clues and run — actually jump — to conclusions that are incorrect. And since we're not God, we're always incorrect to some extent.
If we trust our judgments, we're trying to be God. Ahhh, now it's the sin idolatry, BUT we must not judge and condemn ourselves either. What were our motives? Did we intend to play God? Perhaps a dark, little part of us did, but our main motive was helpfulness. We need to repent of our blindness but appreciate and increase the goodness in our motives.
What are the specks that we'd like to take out of other people? It's like having an eyelash loose in your eye. You can't see it, but you know it's there. It's darn irritating. And if you fail at wash it out, you ask a friend to look and see if your eye's okay. People's specky sins are darn irritating to them, too, and they do appreciate our help — if it's compassionate, non-judgmental, and humble.
Take a slice of bread and slather it with peanut butter. Then drop it, peanut butter side down, into a pile of dead leaves. What gets stuck to it? That's what sin looks like. Now clean out the debris. That's what repentance feels like. It's messy. First we pull out the twigs (planks), because they're big enough to be easy. But there are a lot of little specks that also need to be removed. It takes a long time, a lot of effort, patience, and persistence to completely clean it all up. And it requires good vision!
One reason why God put us into community is so that we can help each other see and remove the specks. However, to be helpful instead of sinful, we must never assume that we understand another person's motives. The people we see sinning might very well be just as frustrated with their specks as we are! They will appreciate our assistance, but only when (1) they have gotten so frustrated that they WANT our help, and (2) we approach them without a plank in our eyes bonking them across their heads.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Gen 12:1-9Ps 33:12-13, 18-20, 22Matt 7:1-5http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062209.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_22.mp3
Planks and specks in our spiritual vision
I used to look at today's Gospel reading and think, "Well, so much for helping others get the specks out of their spiritual vision, because as soon as I want to do that, I grow a huge plank in my own!"
However, that's not what Jesus meant. He never said we shouldn't help others clean up their lives. Take a closer look at the sentences that preface his eye-story. We are not to judge anyone. We can and should judge people's ACTIONS, and when we see sin happen, we should try to help them understand why it's wrong and what they can do about it. We care so much for the person that we don't want to watch them bump through life with blurred vision, hurting themselves and others.
Our vision gets planked when we judge their MOTIVES.
The plank that blinds us is the idea that we can actually see into their hearts. Sure we have clues, but it's only circumstantial evidence. We're the bigger sinner when we take the clues and run — actually jump — to conclusions that are incorrect. And since we're not God, we're always incorrect to some extent.
If we trust our judgments, we're trying to be God. Ahhh, now it's the sin idolatry, BUT we must not judge and condemn ourselves either. What were our motives? Did we intend to play God? Perhaps a dark, little part of us did, but our main motive was helpfulness. We need to repent of our blindness but appreciate and increase the goodness in our motives.
What are the specks that we'd like to take out of other people? It's like having an eyelash loose in your eye. You can't see it, but you know it's there. It's darn irritating. And if you fail at wash it out, you ask a friend to look and see if your eye's okay. People's specky sins are darn irritating to them, too, and they do appreciate our help — if it's compassionate, non-judgmental, and humble.
Take a slice of bread and slather it with peanut butter. Then drop it, peanut butter side down, into a pile of dead leaves. What gets stuck to it? That's what sin looks like. Now clean out the debris. That's what repentance feels like. It's messy. First we pull out the twigs (planks), because they're big enough to be easy. But there are a lot of little specks that also need to be removed. It takes a long time, a lot of effort, patience, and persistence to completely clean it all up. And it requires good vision!
One reason why God put us into community is so that we can help each other see and remove the specks. However, to be helpful instead of sinful, we must never assume that we understand another person's motives. The people we see sinning might very well be just as frustrated with their specks as we are! They will appreciate our assistance, but only when (1) they have gotten so frustrated that they WANT our help, and (2) we approach them without a plank in our eyes bonking them across their heads.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 28, 200913th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 28, 200913th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/13thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-132 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15Mark 5:21-43http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062809.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_28.mp3
Wouldn't it be great if we could actually touch and feel the hem of Jesus' clothing, like the woman in next Sunday's Gospel reading? To be near enough to Jesus to be healed spiritually, physically, and emotionally. How can we, 2000 years after he ascended into heaven, get that close to him?
It is possible, and it's exactly what Jesus wants for us. It comes from developing a better understanding of who Jesus really is and how much God really cares about us. The synagogue leader understood, which is why he could say in faith: "Please, come lay your hands on my daughter that she may live." He understood Jesus beyond what was in front of his eyes. He believed in the divine life of Jesus.
Knowing Jesus is to know divine life, which transforms our earthly life into something much more like his and then takes us to heaven. The first reading, remember, states clearly that death is not part of God's plan. Jesus drives this point home by allowing the girl to die before he reaches her house. Certainly God could have kept her alive until he got there! But he wanted to show the world that he could restore life and that he has the power to rescue us from death.
If we fear death, we don't recognize the nearness of Christ. We can touch the hem of his garment, but we don't see it, and so we don't believe it. In this case, we're like the mourners that Jesus had to chase out of the house before working his miracle.
If we fear that our trials are leading to disastrous conclusions, we've forgotten how powerful Jesus is, and we've forgotten that he cares enough to rescue us. We need to move ourselves closer to Jesus. We have to press on through the crowd of distractions and doubts, with our eyes fixed only on Jesus and our hands reaching out to him in prayer.
If we fear that God doesn't care enough about us to help us, we need to spend more time learning why Jesus gave up his life for us and why the Father sent him to us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Do you believe that Jesus wants to work miraculously in your life? How has the disbelief of the people around you infected your thinking and reduced your faith?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:Describe a miracle that you saw or experienced. How long did it take? What blessings occurred during the time of suffering? How was all of this an expression of God's love?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/13thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-132 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15Mark 5:21-43http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062809.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_28.mp3
Wouldn't it be great if we could actually touch and feel the hem of Jesus' clothing, like the woman in next Sunday's Gospel reading? To be near enough to Jesus to be healed spiritually, physically, and emotionally. How can we, 2000 years after he ascended into heaven, get that close to him?
It is possible, and it's exactly what Jesus wants for us. It comes from developing a better understanding of who Jesus really is and how much God really cares about us. The synagogue leader understood, which is why he could say in faith: "Please, come lay your hands on my daughter that she may live." He understood Jesus beyond what was in front of his eyes. He believed in the divine life of Jesus.
Knowing Jesus is to know divine life, which transforms our earthly life into something much more like his and then takes us to heaven. The first reading, remember, states clearly that death is not part of God's plan. Jesus drives this point home by allowing the girl to die before he reaches her house. Certainly God could have kept her alive until he got there! But he wanted to show the world that he could restore life and that he has the power to rescue us from death.
If we fear death, we don't recognize the nearness of Christ. We can touch the hem of his garment, but we don't see it, and so we don't believe it. In this case, we're like the mourners that Jesus had to chase out of the house before working his miracle.
If we fear that our trials are leading to disastrous conclusions, we've forgotten how powerful Jesus is, and we've forgotten that he cares enough to rescue us. We need to move ourselves closer to Jesus. We have to press on through the crowd of distractions and doubts, with our eyes fixed only on Jesus and our hands reaching out to him in prayer.
If we fear that God doesn't care enough about us to help us, we need to spend more time learning why Jesus gave up his life for us and why the Father sent him to us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Do you believe that Jesus wants to work miraculously in your life? How has the disbelief of the people around you infected your thinking and reduced your faith?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:Describe a miracle that you saw or experienced. How long did it take? What blessings occurred during the time of suffering? How was all of this an expression of God's love?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 21, 200912th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 21, 200912th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/12thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Job 38:1, 8-11Ps 107:23-26, 28-312 Cor 5:14-17Mark 4:35-41http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_21.mp3
It's hurricane season where I live in Florida. Some people think that destructive storms are punishments from God. While it is true that people deserve to be punished for their immorality, Jesus took the Father's righteous wrath upon his own body, accepting torture, shedding blood, and dying, so that all sinners could be saved from the justice we deserve.
Jesus wants to calm our storms, not cause them.
Hardships are not punishments. They are the best occasions for growing closer to God. All of us have seasons of storms in our lives. Each of them are invitations to realize that Jesus is walking with us through it all, whether we deserve his help or not. They're opportunities to learn more knowledge, gain more wisdom, and grow stronger in true faith. It's a time of becoming more humble. Because of our increased need to rely on God, we discover more about his love, but only if we stop insisting that God should behave like a magic genie that we control to resolve our problems the way we think it should happen.
Some of the storms in this world continue raging because we don't do enough to bring the presence of Christ into them. After we've gained from our experiences, we're supposed to help others endure the storms of their lives. We have the earthly hands that Jesus wants to use to calm their storms. And then, surprise! It is in this outreach that we realize that our sufferings have not been in vane; this calms our stormy clouds of despair and regret.
Often, we create our own storms by making sinful decisions, but God doesn't want us to get punished. He sends plenty of red-flag warnings and then, if we get into a hurricane anyway, Jesus invites us to calm the turmoil by reconciling with him.
Whether the storms brew by sin or by nature, if we cry out like the disciples in next Sunday's Gospel reading — "Lord, don't you care that we're perishing?" — Jesus replies, "Why are you scared? How little faith you have! My peace is already here."
Questions for Personal Reflection:What's stormy in your life right now? From where did this turmoil come? What do you need Jesus to save you from today? Choose an action that extends trust to him. What will you do this week to quiet yourself and find the peaceful presence of Christ?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:How has Jesus calmed the waves or led you to a peaceful shore when you suffered through a stormy time in your life? When did you recognize his presence beside you? What happened that revealed his helpfulness?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/12thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Job 38:1, 8-11Ps 107:23-26, 28-312 Cor 5:14-17Mark 4:35-41http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_21.mp3
It's hurricane season where I live in Florida. Some people think that destructive storms are punishments from God. While it is true that people deserve to be punished for their immorality, Jesus took the Father's righteous wrath upon his own body, accepting torture, shedding blood, and dying, so that all sinners could be saved from the justice we deserve.
Jesus wants to calm our storms, not cause them.
Hardships are not punishments. They are the best occasions for growing closer to God. All of us have seasons of storms in our lives. Each of them are invitations to realize that Jesus is walking with us through it all, whether we deserve his help or not. They're opportunities to learn more knowledge, gain more wisdom, and grow stronger in true faith. It's a time of becoming more humble. Because of our increased need to rely on God, we discover more about his love, but only if we stop insisting that God should behave like a magic genie that we control to resolve our problems the way we think it should happen.
Some of the storms in this world continue raging because we don't do enough to bring the presence of Christ into them. After we've gained from our experiences, we're supposed to help others endure the storms of their lives. We have the earthly hands that Jesus wants to use to calm their storms. And then, surprise! It is in this outreach that we realize that our sufferings have not been in vane; this calms our stormy clouds of despair and regret.
Often, we create our own storms by making sinful decisions, but God doesn't want us to get punished. He sends plenty of red-flag warnings and then, if we get into a hurricane anyway, Jesus invites us to calm the turmoil by reconciling with him.
Whether the storms brew by sin or by nature, if we cry out like the disciples in next Sunday's Gospel reading — "Lord, don't you care that we're perishing?" — Jesus replies, "Why are you scared? How little faith you have! My peace is already here."
Questions for Personal Reflection:What's stormy in your life right now? From where did this turmoil come? What do you need Jesus to save you from today? Choose an action that extends trust to him. What will you do this week to quiet yourself and find the peaceful presence of Christ?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:How has Jesus calmed the waves or led you to a peaceful shore when you suffered through a stormy time in your life? When did you recognize his presence beside you? What happened that revealed his helpfulness?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Experience the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Good News ReflectionSolemnity of Most Sacred Heart of JesusJune 19, 2009
Today's Readings:Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9Isaiah 12:2-6Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/061909.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_19.mp3
Experience the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Using the scriptures from the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let's find out what it means to be loved by God. Read today's first scripture by substituting your own name for "Israel" and "Ephraim" (and of course, if you are a female, change "son" to "daughter"). Change "Egypt" to a problem you suffered when you were young. For example:
Thus says the Lord:When Terry was a child I loved her,out of occult involvement I called my daughter.It was I who taught Terry to walk,who took her in My arms;I drew her with human cords,with bands of love;I fostered her like onewho raises an infant to his cheeks;Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,she did not know that I was her healer.
Then read today's responsorial from Isaiah with the same personal angle, but now let it be the adult you of whom the verses speak:
God indeed is my savior, rescuing me from my troubled past.I am confident and unafraid.My strength and my courage come from the Lord,and he is my savior.With joy I will draw waterat the fountain of salvation.etc.
For the second reading, let the author, Paul, speak directly to you:
For this reason I kneel before the Father,asking him to bless you according to the riches of his gloryso that you are strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit,so that Christ dwells in your heart through faith,so that you will be rooted and grounded in love,so that you may have strength to comprehend with all the holy oneswhat is the breadth and length and height and depthof the love that Christ has for you, which surpasses knowledge,so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
As you read the scriptures this way, do you feel any healing taking place? Are you more aware of God's tremendous love for you? THIS is what it means to experience the Sacred Heart of Jesus — the heart that in today's Gospel reading was pierced for your sake.
For a printable copy of this that can be shared with others for meditations, healing services, etc., please go to Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/SacredHeart.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9Isaiah 12:2-6Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/061909.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_19.mp3
Experience the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Using the scriptures from the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let's find out what it means to be loved by God. Read today's first scripture by substituting your own name for "Israel" and "Ephraim" (and of course, if you are a female, change "son" to "daughter"). Change "Egypt" to a problem you suffered when you were young. For example:
Thus says the Lord:When Terry was a child I loved her,out of occult involvement I called my daughter.It was I who taught Terry to walk,who took her in My arms;I drew her with human cords,with bands of love;I fostered her like onewho raises an infant to his cheeks;Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,she did not know that I was her healer.
Then read today's responsorial from Isaiah with the same personal angle, but now let it be the adult you of whom the verses speak:
God indeed is my savior, rescuing me from my troubled past.I am confident and unafraid.My strength and my courage come from the Lord,and he is my savior.With joy I will draw waterat the fountain of salvation.etc.
For the second reading, let the author, Paul, speak directly to you:
For this reason I kneel before the Father,asking him to bless you according to the riches of his gloryso that you are strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit,so that Christ dwells in your heart through faith,so that you will be rooted and grounded in love,so that you may have strength to comprehend with all the holy oneswhat is the breadth and length and height and depthof the love that Christ has for you, which surpasses knowledge,so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
As you read the scriptures this way, do you feel any healing taking place? Are you more aware of God's tremendous love for you? THIS is what it means to experience the Sacred Heart of Jesus — the heart that in today's Gospel reading was pierced for your sake.
For a printable copy of this that can be shared with others for meditations, healing services, etc., please go to Catholic Digital Resources at http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/SacredHeart.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Sincere and complete devotion
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 18, 2009
Today's Readings:2 Cor 1:1-11Ps 111:1b-4, 7-8Matt 6:7-15http://www.usccb.org/nab/061809.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_18.mp3
Sincere and complete devotion
Oh how easy it is to fall prey to what St. Paul talks about in today's first reading! Our thoughts do get corrupted by "other gospels" and we do fall away from our sincere and complete devotion to Christ — at least in some areas of our lives.
I've been entrusted with the task of bringing the scriptures to life in your daily circumstances, and it's only through the Holy Spirit that I'm able to do this. If I fail to rely on God as my source, I lose the sincerity of my ministry, and my devotion to Christ decreases. So, daily in prayer and in Mass, I ask the Lord to keep me faithful to the calling he has given to me for your sake.
Like Paul, I share the Gospel free of charge. What a joy it is to put people under no obligation when aiding them into a deeper and truer relationship with our Lord! However, God is generous, and through the readers he provides what this ministry needs to get the bills paid and to prepare for future development. God has hopes for this ministry that are bigger than what I can dream of, plans that seem impossible, plans that require the growth of a community of people who are committed to helping Good News Ministries so that more people can be helped in more ways.
How seriously do you devote yourself to God's hopes and dreams, making use of the opportunities he provides for your spiritual growth and for your calling? Do you go to adult faith enrichment events that are held in your church? Do you pick up and read the pamphlets and devotional booklets that you see in the church racks?
Do you act upon the messages in these Good News Reflections and other resources, especially those that challenge you to make difficult changes in your life? Are you reading that book that God inspired you to buy?
Do you make confession a priority? Do you get to daily Mass when your schedule permits? Do you take time out to pray, giving God your undivided attention and your complete devotion?
Do you pray each line and each word of the Our Father prayer sincerely? Jesus gives us this prayer in today's Gospel reading, as a summary of THE best, THE most comprehensive way to pray. But we "say" instead of "pray" this prayer, rushing mindlessly through the words, because we're so familiar with it.
To make the individual words of the Lord's Prayer come alive with meaning, read the Catechism, beginning with paragraph 2777 (see http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm). Take a little time over the next several days to go through this, one pearl at a time, to really avail yourself of its riches.
And try the Good News WordByte, "The "Our Father" Prayer: Do I Really Mean What I Pray?" - http://wordbytes.org/ministry/ourfather.htm, which is also published (by Catholic Digital Resources) as a leaflet for distribution in churches and elsewhere - http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/ourfather.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:2 Cor 1:1-11Ps 111:1b-4, 7-8Matt 6:7-15http://www.usccb.org/nab/061809.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_18.mp3
Sincere and complete devotion
Oh how easy it is to fall prey to what St. Paul talks about in today's first reading! Our thoughts do get corrupted by "other gospels" and we do fall away from our sincere and complete devotion to Christ — at least in some areas of our lives.
I've been entrusted with the task of bringing the scriptures to life in your daily circumstances, and it's only through the Holy Spirit that I'm able to do this. If I fail to rely on God as my source, I lose the sincerity of my ministry, and my devotion to Christ decreases. So, daily in prayer and in Mass, I ask the Lord to keep me faithful to the calling he has given to me for your sake.
Like Paul, I share the Gospel free of charge. What a joy it is to put people under no obligation when aiding them into a deeper and truer relationship with our Lord! However, God is generous, and through the readers he provides what this ministry needs to get the bills paid and to prepare for future development. God has hopes for this ministry that are bigger than what I can dream of, plans that seem impossible, plans that require the growth of a community of people who are committed to helping Good News Ministries so that more people can be helped in more ways.
How seriously do you devote yourself to God's hopes and dreams, making use of the opportunities he provides for your spiritual growth and for your calling? Do you go to adult faith enrichment events that are held in your church? Do you pick up and read the pamphlets and devotional booklets that you see in the church racks?
Do you act upon the messages in these Good News Reflections and other resources, especially those that challenge you to make difficult changes in your life? Are you reading that book that God inspired you to buy?
Do you make confession a priority? Do you get to daily Mass when your schedule permits? Do you take time out to pray, giving God your undivided attention and your complete devotion?
Do you pray each line and each word of the Our Father prayer sincerely? Jesus gives us this prayer in today's Gospel reading, as a summary of THE best, THE most comprehensive way to pray. But we "say" instead of "pray" this prayer, rushing mindlessly through the words, because we're so familiar with it.
To make the individual words of the Lord's Prayer come alive with meaning, read the Catechism, beginning with paragraph 2777 (see http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm). Take a little time over the next several days to go through this, one pearl at a time, to really avail yourself of its riches.
And try the Good News WordByte, "The "Our Father" Prayer: Do I Really Mean What I Pray?" - http://wordbytes.org/ministry/ourfather.htm, which is also published (by Catholic Digital Resources) as a leaflet for distribution in churches and elsewhere - http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/ourfather.htm
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Reaping richly
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 17, 2009
Today's Readings:2 Cor 3:4-11Ps 99:5-9Matt 5:17-19http://www.usccb.org/nab/061709.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_17.mp3
Reaping richly
In today's first reading, we're given a very important spiritual principle: What you sow is what you reap. Those who repeatedly sin against us, sowing pain (the key word being "repeatedly"), need to reap pain if they're ever going to realize that they should stop. I know this sounds harsh, but if we truly love them, we do not enable their sins. We do not make it easy for them to continue in their sins.
Likewise, by sowing our lives with good seeds, we'll reap God's abundance so that we have an abundance to share with others. Even in today's bad economy! ESPECIALLY in today's bad economy. We cannot out-do God in generosity. So, why are we so afraid to be generous? Why wouldn't God give us more so that we can help others more?
Ralph and I lived through many years of barely affording life's minimal expenses. When we heard teachings in church about sacrificial giving and tithing (which scripturally means donating 10% of our income), we were sure that we could not afford to give more than a dollar or two a week. That was 30 years ago, and despite the dollar being worth so much less now, this is still what many people donate.
Then someone told us: "If you really want to know whom or what you love and serve, look at your checkbook."
There's a big difference between serving our finances and making our finances serve the Lord. Ralph and I decided to ignore our fears about being generous and to trust God more. Soon after, this was put to the test. As we prepared to move to another state for Ralph's new job, we wanted to sell one of our cars. It was worth $200 (a huge amount at that time), but we gave it to a man who needed a car so he could find a get a job. And then our house sold for $2000 more than expected!
Tithing is more reliable than the stock market, but it isn't an investment plan that we contribute to for the sake of getting back more than we put in. Tithing is God's investment in us. He wants us to realize that he's in charge of our finances. He wants us to know that he's the provider, the source of everything we need. Our time, our talents, and our ability to earn money are all gifts that God has given us so that we may have all that we need AND a surplus for good works, to share the wealth.
We're all rich in various ways, gifted by God. Whether you have money or not, you have much to give, much to sow.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus tells us that serving God is done for love of God, not personal gain. Generosity is to be done with humility, not for our own glory, and not with expectations of reward. God is not into get-rich-quick schemes. God's into love! And perfect love is abundantly generous.
When we sow generously in order to reap abundantly, we're being self-centered. But when we sow generously because we love others, we reap from God's generosity. Love is the answer to overcoming the fear of being generous. Love is what frees us to be cheerful givers.
For more on this, please see http://wordbytes.org/finances/tithing.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:2 Cor 3:4-11Ps 99:5-9Matt 5:17-19http://www.usccb.org/nab/061709.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_17.mp3
Reaping richly
In today's first reading, we're given a very important spiritual principle: What you sow is what you reap. Those who repeatedly sin against us, sowing pain (the key word being "repeatedly"), need to reap pain if they're ever going to realize that they should stop. I know this sounds harsh, but if we truly love them, we do not enable their sins. We do not make it easy for them to continue in their sins.
Likewise, by sowing our lives with good seeds, we'll reap God's abundance so that we have an abundance to share with others. Even in today's bad economy! ESPECIALLY in today's bad economy. We cannot out-do God in generosity. So, why are we so afraid to be generous? Why wouldn't God give us more so that we can help others more?
Ralph and I lived through many years of barely affording life's minimal expenses. When we heard teachings in church about sacrificial giving and tithing (which scripturally means donating 10% of our income), we were sure that we could not afford to give more than a dollar or two a week. That was 30 years ago, and despite the dollar being worth so much less now, this is still what many people donate.
Then someone told us: "If you really want to know whom or what you love and serve, look at your checkbook."
There's a big difference between serving our finances and making our finances serve the Lord. Ralph and I decided to ignore our fears about being generous and to trust God more. Soon after, this was put to the test. As we prepared to move to another state for Ralph's new job, we wanted to sell one of our cars. It was worth $200 (a huge amount at that time), but we gave it to a man who needed a car so he could find a get a job. And then our house sold for $2000 more than expected!
Tithing is more reliable than the stock market, but it isn't an investment plan that we contribute to for the sake of getting back more than we put in. Tithing is God's investment in us. He wants us to realize that he's in charge of our finances. He wants us to know that he's the provider, the source of everything we need. Our time, our talents, and our ability to earn money are all gifts that God has given us so that we may have all that we need AND a surplus for good works, to share the wealth.
We're all rich in various ways, gifted by God. Whether you have money or not, you have much to give, much to sow.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus tells us that serving God is done for love of God, not personal gain. Generosity is to be done with humility, not for our own glory, and not with expectations of reward. God is not into get-rich-quick schemes. God's into love! And perfect love is abundantly generous.
When we sow generously in order to reap abundantly, we're being self-centered. But when we sow generously because we love others, we reap from God's generosity. Love is the answer to overcoming the fear of being generous. Love is what frees us to be cheerful givers.
For more on this, please see http://wordbytes.org/finances/tithing.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
The fun of enthusiastic ministry
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 16, 2009
Today's Readings:2 Cor 8:1-9Ps 146:1b-9aMatt 5:43-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/061609.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_16.mp3
The fun of enthusiastic ministry
In today's first reading, St. Paul describes what happens when a church community truly works together as a community of love, where people enthusiastically volunteer to help, and where the need for assistance is recognized and people jump in to get the work done — not because they ought to, but because they're so in love with God that they want to do it as a gift for him, and because this love floods outward to everyone.
This is what Jesus means in today's Gospel reading, when he says, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." He's not telling us to be perfectionists. He's not saying that it's bad to make mistakes. Every time you see the word "perfect" in scripture, think "fullness of love." We're perfected into the likeness of our God-Daddy whenever we love others so fully that we eagerly serve his kingdom with our talents and resources.
Every director of a ministry and every pastor of a parish knows how rare it is to find people with this kind of enthusiasm.
How much do you love God? What kind of worker are you in his kingdom? Do you have the same joy and enthusiasm that the Christians of Macedonia had? Neither St. Paul nor any pastor had to pressure them to get involved. Rather, the parishioners begged — insistently — for the favor of serving the Church. Wow!
Do you understand that the people who seek volunteers in your parish are doing you a favor by asking for your gifts and talents? And your time? "Oh-ho! Not with my busy schedule and all the demands coming at me from other directions," we say. Well then, we still don't realize how blessed we are to serve God. We're serving a different god or two or three gods who don't appreciate our efforts nearly as much as the true God does.
In true Christian maturity, we're unhappy when we see an unmet need, and we're even more unhappy if we can fill that need but don't know how to get involved. Here's a thought: Have you ever begged the pastor to let you donate more money? What would happen if you said, "Father, I didn't put enough in the collection basket last Sunday. May I stop by and drop off a check?"
Splattttt. That's the sound of Father fainting.
If you want to have more fun in your parish community, call the director of any ministry that appeals to you, and say, "What can I do to make your job easier? Tell me! I won't let you down. How can I help? I'm not going to be happy until you give me some volunteer work to do." There might be some stammering or speechlessness at first, but be patient. The director will recover.
And God will smile at you and say, "THAAAAANK you!"
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:2 Cor 8:1-9Ps 146:1b-9aMatt 5:43-48http://www.usccb.org/nab/061609.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_16.mp3
The fun of enthusiastic ministry
In today's first reading, St. Paul describes what happens when a church community truly works together as a community of love, where people enthusiastically volunteer to help, and where the need for assistance is recognized and people jump in to get the work done — not because they ought to, but because they're so in love with God that they want to do it as a gift for him, and because this love floods outward to everyone.
This is what Jesus means in today's Gospel reading, when he says, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." He's not telling us to be perfectionists. He's not saying that it's bad to make mistakes. Every time you see the word "perfect" in scripture, think "fullness of love." We're perfected into the likeness of our God-Daddy whenever we love others so fully that we eagerly serve his kingdom with our talents and resources.
Every director of a ministry and every pastor of a parish knows how rare it is to find people with this kind of enthusiasm.
How much do you love God? What kind of worker are you in his kingdom? Do you have the same joy and enthusiasm that the Christians of Macedonia had? Neither St. Paul nor any pastor had to pressure them to get involved. Rather, the parishioners begged — insistently — for the favor of serving the Church. Wow!
Do you understand that the people who seek volunteers in your parish are doing you a favor by asking for your gifts and talents? And your time? "Oh-ho! Not with my busy schedule and all the demands coming at me from other directions," we say. Well then, we still don't realize how blessed we are to serve God. We're serving a different god or two or three gods who don't appreciate our efforts nearly as much as the true God does.
In true Christian maturity, we're unhappy when we see an unmet need, and we're even more unhappy if we can fill that need but don't know how to get involved. Here's a thought: Have you ever begged the pastor to let you donate more money? What would happen if you said, "Father, I didn't put enough in the collection basket last Sunday. May I stop by and drop off a check?"
Splattttt. That's the sound of Father fainting.
If you want to have more fun in your parish community, call the director of any ministry that appeals to you, and say, "What can I do to make your job easier? Tell me! I won't let you down. How can I help? I'm not going to be happy until you give me some volunteer work to do." There might be some stammering or speechlessness at first, but be patient. The director will recover.
And God will smile at you and say, "THAAAAANK you!"
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Is it abuse or ministry?
Good News ReflectionMonday of the 11th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 15, 2009
Today's Readings:2 Cor 6:1-10Ps 98:1-4Matt 5:38-42http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_15.mp3
Is it abuse or ministry?
Today's Gospel passage could be a description of a victim. Or it could be a description of a ministry. If we don't turn the unfair requests or injustices and abuses of others into ministry, we allow ourselves to remain victims.
Abusers say, in effect: "You have to turn your cheek and let me hit you again! You're not supposed to retaliate or defend yourself." A victim is someone who says, in effect: "It's wrong for me to resist being treated this way. It's wrong for me to get away from it. It's wrong for me to call in the authorities against this person. I must offer up my sufferings to Jesus, that's all."
The decision to remain in victim mode is very self-serving. It's self-serving to allow others to take advantage of us. Let me explain why. To deal with the problem and help abusers become accountable for their actions serves them by giving them the opportunity to change. And it serves other potential victims.
If we're using unhealthy relationships to gain self-esteem as the caretaker or enabler of an addict, or if we're clinging to what's familiar so that we won't have to do the hard work of learning new patterns, or if we're using the hardships to get attention and sympathy as a martyr, we are a victim, not a minister of God's healing love.
Christ's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) is a teaching on how to live a life of MINISTRY, not victimhood. Today's first reading is an example of how the Gospel is supposed to be applied. When we suffer because we choose to turn an injustice into a ministry, for the sake of "enriching many", we are "sorrowful yet always rejoicing."
Amazing things happen when we live this way. Take, for example, the time a neighbor verbally attacked me, repeatedly, because he mistakenly believed that my dog was spilling his garbage onto the street. He threatened to have an Animal Control Officer take my pet away. How did Jesus want me to give him my other cheek without being a victim?
First, without anger, I tried to explain that raccoons were the culprit, but when he refused to believe me, I looked for a way to go the extra mile. I cleaned up his ikky garbage and put it into one of my trash cans that had a good, snap-on lid, with a bow on top and a message to explain that it was a gift. After that, peace reigned between us, even when he left his trash unlidded and it was again ravaged by midnight invaders.
By maintaining healthy and reasonable boundaries against abuse, then and only then are we free to turn it into a ministry in which we choose to make sacrifices and turn the other cheek. Only when our life is guided by love — for ourselves and equally for our abusers and for other potential victims — can Christ reach out to others through us with his sacrificial love, and it is only then that the pain of our sufferings have redemptive value.
And oh! How wonderful it is to contribute to someone's redemption!
For help with this, try my e-book of Good News Reflections entitled "The Path to Healing in Difficult Relationships", published by Catholic Digital Resources. Please visit http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/relationships.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:2 Cor 6:1-10Ps 98:1-4Matt 5:38-42http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_15.mp3
Is it abuse or ministry?
Today's Gospel passage could be a description of a victim. Or it could be a description of a ministry. If we don't turn the unfair requests or injustices and abuses of others into ministry, we allow ourselves to remain victims.
Abusers say, in effect: "You have to turn your cheek and let me hit you again! You're not supposed to retaliate or defend yourself." A victim is someone who says, in effect: "It's wrong for me to resist being treated this way. It's wrong for me to get away from it. It's wrong for me to call in the authorities against this person. I must offer up my sufferings to Jesus, that's all."
The decision to remain in victim mode is very self-serving. It's self-serving to allow others to take advantage of us. Let me explain why. To deal with the problem and help abusers become accountable for their actions serves them by giving them the opportunity to change. And it serves other potential victims.
If we're using unhealthy relationships to gain self-esteem as the caretaker or enabler of an addict, or if we're clinging to what's familiar so that we won't have to do the hard work of learning new patterns, or if we're using the hardships to get attention and sympathy as a martyr, we are a victim, not a minister of God's healing love.
Christ's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) is a teaching on how to live a life of MINISTRY, not victimhood. Today's first reading is an example of how the Gospel is supposed to be applied. When we suffer because we choose to turn an injustice into a ministry, for the sake of "enriching many", we are "sorrowful yet always rejoicing."
Amazing things happen when we live this way. Take, for example, the time a neighbor verbally attacked me, repeatedly, because he mistakenly believed that my dog was spilling his garbage onto the street. He threatened to have an Animal Control Officer take my pet away. How did Jesus want me to give him my other cheek without being a victim?
First, without anger, I tried to explain that raccoons were the culprit, but when he refused to believe me, I looked for a way to go the extra mile. I cleaned up his ikky garbage and put it into one of my trash cans that had a good, snap-on lid, with a bow on top and a message to explain that it was a gift. After that, peace reigned between us, even when he left his trash unlidded and it was again ravaged by midnight invaders.
By maintaining healthy and reasonable boundaries against abuse, then and only then are we free to turn it into a ministry in which we choose to make sacrifices and turn the other cheek. Only when our life is guided by love — for ourselves and equally for our abusers and for other potential victims — can Christ reach out to others through us with his sacrificial love, and it is only then that the pain of our sufferings have redemptive value.
And oh! How wonderful it is to contribute to someone's redemption!
For help with this, try my e-book of Good News Reflections entitled "The Path to Healing in Difficult Relationships", published by Catholic Digital Resources. Please visit http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/relationships.htm.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 21, 200912th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: June 21, 200912th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/12thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Job 38:1, 8-11Ps 107:23-26, 28-312 Cor 5:14-17Mark 4:35-41http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_21.mp3
It's hurricane season where I live in Florida. Some people think that destructive storms are punishments from God. While it is true that people deserve to be punished for their immorality, Jesus took the Father's righteous wrath upon his own body, accepting torture, shedding blood, and dying, so that all sinners could be saved from the justice we deserve.
Jesus wants to calm our storms, not cause them.
Hardships are not punishments. They are the best occasions for growing closer to God. All of us have seasons of storms in our lives. Each of them are invitations to realize that Jesus is walking with us through it all, whether we deserve his help or not. They're opportunities to learn more knowledge, gain more wisdom, and grow stronger in true faith. It's a time of becoming more humble. Because of our increased need to rely on God, we discover more about his love, but only if we stop insisting that God should behave like a magic genie that we control to resolve our problems the way we think it should happen.
Some of the storms in this world continue raging because we don't do enough to bring the presence of Christ into them. After we've gained from our experiences, we're supposed to help others endure the storms of their lives. We have the earthly hands that Jesus wants to use to calm their storms. And then, surprise! It is in this outreach that we realize that our sufferings have not been in vane; this calms our stormy clouds of despair and regret.
Often, we create our own storms by making sinful decisions, but God doesn't want us to get punished. He sends plenty of red-flag warnings and then, if we get into a hurricane anyway, Jesus invites us to calm the turmoil by reconciling with him.
Whether the storms brew by sin or by nature, if we cry out like the disciples in next Sunday's Gospel reading — "Lord, don't you care that we're perishing?" — Jesus replies, "Why are you scared? How little faith you have! My peace is already here."
Questions for Personal Reflection:What's stormy in your life right now? From where did this turmoil come? What do you need Jesus to save you from today? Choose an action that extends trust to him. What will you do this week to quiet yourself and find the peaceful presence of Christ?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:How has Jesus calmed the waves or led you to a peaceful shore when you suffered through a stormy time in your life? When did you recognize his presence beside you? What happened that revealed his helpfulness?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflection - Sunday Only" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/June/12thB.htm
Next Sunday's Readings:Job 38:1, 8-11Ps 107:23-26, 28-312 Cor 5:14-17Mark 4:35-41http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_21.mp3
It's hurricane season where I live in Florida. Some people think that destructive storms are punishments from God. While it is true that people deserve to be punished for their immorality, Jesus took the Father's righteous wrath upon his own body, accepting torture, shedding blood, and dying, so that all sinners could be saved from the justice we deserve.
Jesus wants to calm our storms, not cause them.
Hardships are not punishments. They are the best occasions for growing closer to God. All of us have seasons of storms in our lives. Each of them are invitations to realize that Jesus is walking with us through it all, whether we deserve his help or not. They're opportunities to learn more knowledge, gain more wisdom, and grow stronger in true faith. It's a time of becoming more humble. Because of our increased need to rely on God, we discover more about his love, but only if we stop insisting that God should behave like a magic genie that we control to resolve our problems the way we think it should happen.
Some of the storms in this world continue raging because we don't do enough to bring the presence of Christ into them. After we've gained from our experiences, we're supposed to help others endure the storms of their lives. We have the earthly hands that Jesus wants to use to calm their storms. And then, surprise! It is in this outreach that we realize that our sufferings have not been in vane; this calms our stormy clouds of despair and regret.
Often, we create our own storms by making sinful decisions, but God doesn't want us to get punished. He sends plenty of red-flag warnings and then, if we get into a hurricane anyway, Jesus invites us to calm the turmoil by reconciling with him.
Whether the storms brew by sin or by nature, if we cry out like the disciples in next Sunday's Gospel reading — "Lord, don't you care that we're perishing?" — Jesus replies, "Why are you scared? How little faith you have! My peace is already here."
Questions for Personal Reflection:What's stormy in your life right now? From where did this turmoil come? What do you need Jesus to save you from today? Choose an action that extends trust to him. What will you do this week to quiet yourself and find the peaceful presence of Christ?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:How has Jesus calmed the waves or led you to a peaceful shore when you suffered through a stormy time in your life? When did you recognize his presence beside you? What happened that revealed his helpfulness?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
Why does Jesus speak so strongly about adultery?
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 10th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 12, 2009
Today's Readings:2 Cor 4:7-15Ps 116:10-18Matt 5:27-32http://www.usccb.org/nab/061209.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_12.mp3
Why does Jesus speak so strongly about adultery?
Today's Gospel reading contains a really tough message: Anything in your life that plays upon your vulnerabilities and contributes to sin should be gotten rid of, cut off, tossed away, ended, stopped, with no room for "Well maybe this time it's okay."
Attached to this message, like a top priority and a bottom line, is a warning about adultery. If we even just look at someone with lust, we commit adultery. If we have a valid marriage but divorce and remarry, we commit adultery (which is why the Church requires people to first prove it was not valid before allowing remarriage).
Whatever contributes to adultery should be cut off, tossed away, ended, stopped, with no room for "Well ...."
Why is adultery so hugely significant as a sin? Why does Jesus speak so strongly about it? Why does he attach it to this particular teaching? Because relationships are the most important part of life. We can't get to heaven without them!
The Father wants to — really really longingly wants to — spend eternity in wonderful relationships with his children. Jesus cared to the point of enduring a painful death to secure our future in heaven. The Holy Spirit works to make sure we have a good relationship with him here and now and forever more. And Jesus made it clear that the road to heaven is paved with love for one another.
Lust destroys relationships. When people are in lust (instead of in love), their relationship with God is ignored or — worse — broken. When one person inflicts his/her lust upon another, a wounded victim emerges.
We still remember all too well the scandal of representatives of Christ violating children with their lust, and we rightfully mourn because Christ himself has been violated by such terrible representation. But no less adulterous is lust toward an adult. It's not illegal, and perhaps that's why Church officials often ignore this sin in the priesthood. After all, we live in a world where lust between consenting adults is considered "just" a human expression of love and an important physical need; it's dismissed as normal and even as healthy! No one's a victim, it seems, and therefore, why bother making a fuss about it, especially when there's a decreasing number of priests to handle the growing number of Catholics.
And yet, there IS a victim. The priest's bride is his parish, and lust is adultery against her. More than that, again, lust is a violation of the image of Christ. It destroys the message of God's fidelity. Lust in any form toward anyone is anti-evangelization.
We're earthen vessels, as it says in today's first reading, vulnerable to sin, belonging too much to the world, easily cracked. Nonetheless, we hold an important treasure within: God. With the help of God's holy Spirit, we can conquer our sinful desires and develop a pure love for God and empower a faithful, holy witness of love for others that helps more people embrace the pure love of Christ and reach heaven.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:2 Cor 4:7-15Ps 116:10-18Matt 5:27-32http://www.usccb.org/nab/061209.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_12.mp3
Why does Jesus speak so strongly about adultery?
Today's Gospel reading contains a really tough message: Anything in your life that plays upon your vulnerabilities and contributes to sin should be gotten rid of, cut off, tossed away, ended, stopped, with no room for "Well maybe this time it's okay."
Attached to this message, like a top priority and a bottom line, is a warning about adultery. If we even just look at someone with lust, we commit adultery. If we have a valid marriage but divorce and remarry, we commit adultery (which is why the Church requires people to first prove it was not valid before allowing remarriage).
Whatever contributes to adultery should be cut off, tossed away, ended, stopped, with no room for "Well ...."
Why is adultery so hugely significant as a sin? Why does Jesus speak so strongly about it? Why does he attach it to this particular teaching? Because relationships are the most important part of life. We can't get to heaven without them!
The Father wants to — really really longingly wants to — spend eternity in wonderful relationships with his children. Jesus cared to the point of enduring a painful death to secure our future in heaven. The Holy Spirit works to make sure we have a good relationship with him here and now and forever more. And Jesus made it clear that the road to heaven is paved with love for one another.
Lust destroys relationships. When people are in lust (instead of in love), their relationship with God is ignored or — worse — broken. When one person inflicts his/her lust upon another, a wounded victim emerges.
We still remember all too well the scandal of representatives of Christ violating children with their lust, and we rightfully mourn because Christ himself has been violated by such terrible representation. But no less adulterous is lust toward an adult. It's not illegal, and perhaps that's why Church officials often ignore this sin in the priesthood. After all, we live in a world where lust between consenting adults is considered "just" a human expression of love and an important physical need; it's dismissed as normal and even as healthy! No one's a victim, it seems, and therefore, why bother making a fuss about it, especially when there's a decreasing number of priests to handle the growing number of Catholics.
And yet, there IS a victim. The priest's bride is his parish, and lust is adultery against her. More than that, again, lust is a violation of the image of Christ. It destroys the message of God's fidelity. Lust in any form toward anyone is anti-evangelization.
We're earthen vessels, as it says in today's first reading, vulnerable to sin, belonging too much to the world, easily cracked. Nonetheless, we hold an important treasure within: God. With the help of God's holy Spirit, we can conquer our sinful desires and develop a pure love for God and empower a faithful, holy witness of love for others that helps more people embrace the pure love of Christ and reach heaven.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Making the right comparisons
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary TimeJune 11, 2009
Today's Memorial: Saint Barnabas, ApostlePray for holy attitudes:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Barnabas.htm
Today's Readings:Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3Ps 98:1-6Matt 5:20-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/061109.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_11.mp3
Making the right comparisons
Are you a Barnabas? He sometimes seems to have disappeared in St. Paul's shadow. For a long time, these two men were partners in ministry, but Paul is the one we remember because of his abundant writings. Barnabas was no less an apostle, no less important to the spreading of the Good News. We get a glimpse of this in today's first reading.
Are you comparing yourself to the Pauls in your life and ranking yourself as less important? Or perhaps you're not reaching your full potential in ministry because you sell yourself short, doing less than others because you think you can never do it as well as others.
Comparisons are fine if we use the information to make good decisions. But if it results in raising up one person as superior to another, it's evil. It denies the dignity and giftedness and uniqueness of the so-called "inferior" individual. When we compare ourselves to others, whether it raises us up or puts us down, it's a sin. It paralyzes us from doing all that we can do.
No one is superior or inferior — we're just different. All are made in the image of God, who is the only Superior One. And Jesus needs all of us to function together as different parts of the same body — his body on earth — to continue to carry out his mission of making this world a better place and leading more souls to heaven.
Comparisons that lead to feelings of superiority or inferiority are based on the assumption — wrongly — that we fully know the people we're comparing. Any readers, for example, who compare their spirituality against mine has no idea what it took for me to get where I am today, how long it took me to get here, and what my shortcomings are (except my husband, who is merciful enough to not mention the faults he sees daily).
The only valid comparison, the only helpful comparison, is what we do when we look at who we are today versus who we were in the past. In short: how far we've come. We can only rightfully compare ourselves against ourselves. This is what leads us to repentance when we've sinned, to healing when we discover old wounds, and to better use of our giftedness.
We must never, ever compare our present selves to our past selves only for the sake of finding only what's bad and in need of repentance or change. It is NOT prideful to pat ourselves on the back for the goodness that is in us, or for what we've overcome, or for how much we've grown, as long as we recognize that God is the source of all this. Indeed, noticing how we've improved gives us the stamina and insight to continue improving, all of which glorifies God in whose image he made us.
Barnabas happily fulfilled his calling as an apostle, because it didn't bother him that Paul was more outspoken, more prolific as a writer, and more in demand as a preacher. Are you a Barnabas? NO! You are an incomparably unique and wonderful masterpiece of God, called to do what you are uniquely able to do.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Memorial: Saint Barnabas, ApostlePray for holy attitudes:http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Barnabas.htm
Today's Readings:Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3Ps 98:1-6Matt 5:20-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/061109.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_06_11.mp3
Making the right comparisons
Are you a Barnabas? He sometimes seems to have disappeared in St. Paul's shadow. For a long time, these two men were partners in ministry, but Paul is the one we remember because of his abundant writings. Barnabas was no less an apostle, no less important to the spreading of the Good News. We get a glimpse of this in today's first reading.
Are you comparing yourself to the Pauls in your life and ranking yourself as less important? Or perhaps you're not reaching your full potential in ministry because you sell yourself short, doing less than others because you think you can never do it as well as others.
Comparisons are fine if we use the information to make good decisions. But if it results in raising up one person as superior to another, it's evil. It denies the dignity and giftedness and uniqueness of the so-called "inferior" individual. When we compare ourselves to others, whether it raises us up or puts us down, it's a sin. It paralyzes us from doing all that we can do.
No one is superior or inferior — we're just different. All are made in the image of God, who is the only Superior One. And Jesus needs all of us to function together as different parts of the same body — his body on earth — to continue to carry out his mission of making this world a better place and leading more souls to heaven.
Comparisons that lead to feelings of superiority or inferiority are based on the assumption — wrongly — that we fully know the people we're comparing. Any readers, for example, who compare their spirituality against mine has no idea what it took for me to get where I am today, how long it took me to get here, and what my shortcomings are (except my husband, who is merciful enough to not mention the faults he sees daily).
The only valid comparison, the only helpful comparison, is what we do when we look at who we are today versus who we were in the past. In short: how far we've come. We can only rightfully compare ourselves against ourselves. This is what leads us to repentance when we've sinned, to healing when we discover old wounds, and to better use of our giftedness.
We must never, ever compare our present selves to our past selves only for the sake of finding only what's bad and in need of repentance or change. It is NOT prideful to pat ourselves on the back for the goodness that is in us, or for what we've overcome, or for how much we've grown, as long as we recognize that God is the source of all this. Indeed, noticing how we've improved gives us the stamina and insight to continue improving, all of which glorifies God in whose image he made us.
Barnabas happily fulfilled his calling as an apostle, because it didn't bother him that Paul was more outspoken, more prolific as a writer, and more in demand as a preacher. Are you a Barnabas? NO! You are an incomparably unique and wonderful masterpiece of God, called to do what you are uniquely able to do.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
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